In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the NEEDS food pantry is able to obtain many food items from the Freestore Foodbank at no charge. But for others, we must rely on donations. We’re currently most in need of:
Canned soup of all kinds Packaged side dishes (rice mixes, pasta dishes, stuffing, potato mixes) Canned pineapple Tomato (not pasta) sauce Paper towels Dish and laundry detergent Pump hand soap Deodorant (men’s and women’s)
Donations can be dropped off at Kenwood Baptist Church Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. NEEDS volunteers are at the church on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.
NEEDS also welcomes financial donations, which enable us to purchase both dry goods and perishable items like eggs, milk, cheese, butter, and vegetables. If you would like to support NEEDS with a donation, you can simply mail a check to the address below:
In order to provide food and emergency assistance to our clients, NEEDS relies heavily on donations from churches and other organizations. But as one regular donor demonstrates, individual contributors can also make a tremendous impact!
One of our most faithful donors is named Will. We don’t know his last name (he chooses not to share it), but we do know that he is an expert at maximizing discounts with coupons! Every few weeks, Will loads up his car with food for the NEEDS pantry, from cases of canned tomatoes and potatoes to more hot sauce than the average restaurant keeps on hand. And Will doesn’t just donate food – he also helps to supply personal care items like shampoo. Will even donates cases of feminine hygiene products, which are among the most expensive (and essential) items for the NEEDS pantry to stock. Will often says “This is the last time,” but he keeps coming back with much-needed food and supplies.
NEEDS is incredibly grateful to Will and the other donors who support us in meeting the needs of our community. Thank you!
Each year, NEEDS holds a school supply drive to provide students in the Princeton and Deer Park districts with the materials they need for successful learning. Over 70% of Princeton students and over 50% of Deer Park students rely on financial assistance from the school district and the government – and for many of these students, even the most basic supplies can be difficult to afford.
This year the need will likely be greater than ever, as many families have been impacted by COVID-related job loss and other challenges.
You can help us meet that need!
In order to provide supplies as safely as possible, NEEDS is collecting financial donations (including gift cards) to share with each school district. School officials will use these donations to purchase the supplies that their students need.
If you would like to contribute, simply mail a check (with “school supplies” in the memo line) to our address below. Gift cards for Kroger, Meijer, Walmart, Target, Staples, and Amazon are also welcome.
Or you can drop off your check or gift cards any time NEEDS is open in August and September (Tuesday and Thursdays 9 am to 1 pm.) at Kenwood Baptist Church.
If you belong to a NEEDS member church, please include the church’s name with your donation.
While all students face challenging adjustments in the upcoming school year, we can help to ease the stress for some of our community’s most acutely affected families.
June was a busy month for the NEEDS food pantry, as we continued to operate our drive-up service with great success.
Families served: 66 Individuals served: 246
Thank you to all of our volunteers and donors!
Starting in July, NEEDS will resume emergency financial assistance for clients who need help paying rent and utility bills. The pantry will remain open for drive-up service. We look forward to another impactful month!
For many high school students, summer vacation is an eagerly awaited opportunity to fulfill community service requirements. This is especially true for students at St. Ursula Academy, an East Walnut Hills school that champions service as a core value. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Ursula staff recently found creative ways to continue honoring the school’s commitment to service.
St. Ursula Academy usually provides funding to support a variety of student service activities. This summer, the academy generously donated a portion of those funds to supply the NEEDS pantry with its most urgently needed items. In addition, St. Ursula has placed NEEDS on their summer service list, encouraging students to meet service requirements by donating to NEEDS.
NEEDS is so grateful for the support of St. Ursula Academy this summer. Thank you!
