You may not be able to see pantry coordinator Maureen’s smile in this photo, but underneath the mask she’s beaming! Many local businesses provide annual support to NEEDS, and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, several of these companies have shown exceptional generosity.
Take Unlimited Systems: in previous years, this Kenwood-based software company has held a food drive to benefit NEEDS. Recently, Unlimited Systems employees instead pooled financial donations, presenting NEEDS with a check for over $550. Wow!
Another wonderful example of generosity comes from Everything But The House (EBTH), a local firm that provides services to downsizing families. EBTH hosted a food drive and collected enough donations to fill two vehicles – and then some! EBTH’s connection with Grippo’s (yes, the potato chip company!) led to a donation from the latter as well. Most touchingly, the two winners of the EBTH raffle for participating employees chose to donate their $50 Visa gift cards back to NEEDS.
NEEDS served a record 950 families in 2020. As our clients continue to deal with COVID-related job loss and other hardships, we are incredibly grateful for the support of our generous donors. Thank you!
Recently, NEEDS received a special visit. A gentleman arrived at the pantry with two large spiral hams to donate. He explained that he had been to the pantry before – as a client seeking food for his family. Now, he wanted to give back – and when he found a great sale, he immediately thought of NEEDS.
This isn’t the first time that a client has returned to NEEDS to help others. It’s wonderful to see such generosity!
Serving hundreds of people each month, the NEEDS pantry always welcomes donations of food and personal care items. If you would like to help us stock up, please check out this list of currently needed supplies.
Food: Pasta sauce Bean soup Clam chowder Canned salmon Black beans Dessert items (cookies, cake mix, pudding cups, etc)
Personal / Home: Dish and laundry soap Toothpaste Paper towels Toilet paper
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!
For the past 10 years, the Frame USA company has held an annual holiday drive called “Fill-the-Truck” to benefit local charities. Frame USA staff park large trucks in accessible lots throughout the city, and solicit community donations to support NEEDS and other organizations. Each Christmas, NEEDS has received a huge truckload of donations ranging from canned food to household supplies. Fill-the-Truck is always a highlight of the holiday season!
This year, Frame USA chose to accept mostly gifts of money for their selected charities. NEEDS volunteers wondered how this shift would affect the success of the drive – but there was no need to worry. Just before Christmas, Frame USA customer service manager Travone Hall stopped by the pantry to deliver a check for over $3000! What a wonderful gift!
NEEDS is so grateful for partners like Frame USA, who continue to support our mission year after year. Thank you!
Happy New Year! NEEDS closed out 2020 with another busy month, providing food and emergency assistance to 100 families. Here are our totals for the month:
During December, the NEEDS pantry provided food to 93 families – for a total of 339 people! NEEDS also provided emergency financial assistance to 7 families, distributing a total of $2550.00 to cover rent, utilities, and medical expenses.
In January, NEEDS will wrap up the annual HUGSS warm winter clothing drive. It’s not too late to contribute – check out this post for details.
