NEEDS pantry volunteers serve food to hundreds of people each month. Sometimes the shelves can get a little bare – but thanks to four local schools, the pantry is now fully stocked!
During November and December, three elementary schools – Montgomery, Blue Ash, and Maple Dale – organized food drives to benefit NEEDS. Students, staff, and parents all helped to collect donations. Another drive was held by St. Xavier High School, whose students took time to pick up donations from neighborhoods across the area. Two St. X alumni then delivered the goods to the pantry.
NEEDS is so grateful for these schools, as well as the other organizations and individuals who help us to fulfill our mission. Thank you!
With a pandemic holiday season in full swing, many of us are missing warm hugs from our loved ones. However, we can still spread some cheer with HUGSS!
Each year, NEEDS holds a HUGSS (hats, undies, gloves, socks, and sweats) drive to provide students in the Princeton, Deer Park, and Sycamore school districts with much-needed warm winter clothing. Over 70% of Princeton students and over 50% of Deer Park students rely on financial assistance from the school district and the government; often, these students’ families struggle to afford essential winter gear. For Deer Park students, many of whom walk to school each day due to lack of bus service, the need is especially great.
You can help us meet that need!
In order to provide winter clothing as safely as possible, NEEDS is currently collecting financial donations (including gift cards) to share with each school district. School officials will use these donations to purchase the items that their students need.
If you would like to contribute, simply mail a check (with “HUGSS” in the memo line) to our address below. Gift cards for Meijer, Walmart, and Target are also welcome.
You can also drop off your check or gift cards any time NEEDS is open in December (Tuesday and Thursdays 9 am to 1 pm) at Kenwood Baptist Church.
Thanks to several recent food drives, the NEEDS pantry shelves are mostly full. However, the pantry is still in need of some crucial (and more expensive) items.
Toiletries: Body wash Deodorant (men’s and women’s) Shaving cream and razors Feminine hygiene products (pads and tampons) Laundry and dish soap Baby wipes Hand soap / sanitizer Home cleaning products
Food: Canned clam chowder Pasta sauce
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. Thank you!
As usual, NEEDS stayed busy in November, providing both food and emergency assistance to numerous families. Here are our totals for the month:
During November, the NEEDS pantry provided food to 92 families – for a total of 347 people! NEEDS also provided emergency financial assistance to 6 families, distributing a total of $2050.00 to cover rent and utilities.
Now that the Christmas season is underway, NEEDS volunteers are preparing for our annual winter clothing drive. Check back for details soon!
