Sibcy Cline realtor Laurie Simon Goldman is a regular donor to the NEEDS pantry. But just ten days before Thanksgiving, she really outdid herself! Laurie writes:

“One of my FAVORITE moments in my annual work life: a pre-Thanksgiving ‘pay it forward’ project. Each year I select a few local non-profits to which I will make donations in honor of my clients, and my current/former local clients have the opportunity to select the one to which I’ll donate in their honor. Some former clients have been ‘voting’ for more than a decade! (I kick in the $, and clients ‘vote’ to choose where the donation in their honor goes.) Such a joy to hear back from HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of clients, and turn their votes into donations sent back out into our community!

This year a check earmarked for emergency housing assistance went to Neighborhood Bridges, and personal care items went to the NEEDS food pantry (the boxes in the pic show some of what went there). Someone asked what all went to NEEDS, so I counted! It was: detergent for 400 loads of laundry, 72 tissue boxes, 80 rolls of toilet paper, 16 bottles of dish soap, 72 razors, 12 boxes of band-aids, 612 tampons, 392 menstrual pads, 24 cans of shaving cream, 200 toothbrushes, 31 bottles of shampoo, 88 bars of soap, 45 toothpaste tubes, 26 deodorants, and 100 reusable market bags to fill for their guests.

So grateful for my clients who ‘voted’ with their hearts for these two projects! And always thankful that our work together means we can share some love with our neighbors through these remarkable organizations!”

NEEDS couldn’t be more grateful for Laurie’s generous support! Click HERE to find out how you can get involved, too.

Each year, St. Xavier High School holds a food drive to benefit NEEDS and other pantries — and the generosity of the school’s families and faculty really makes a difference! Pantry coordinator Janie shared this letter of gratitude:

“Thank you once again for including NEEDS in your annual food drive. We look forward to your event every year as it makes a significant impact on our pantry. Each year the number of neighbors visiting our pantry increases and we are challenged to keep food on our shelves. This year we will serve over 2200 families. 

The effort your students put into this event is so impressive! We loved seeing their energy and enthusiasm as they brought load after load to our truck. The impact you make on the less fortunate in our community is huge, as we know that we are just one of many pantries who benefit from your efforts.

This is one of the biggest donations we receive. Please thank all the students, their parents, and your staff who work so hard to make this a success. It’s great to see these young men involved in community service. It instills a giving spirit that carries on, as evidenced by St. X alum Tom Young ’57 who helps pick up and deliver the goods to our pantry every year.

Please know that you are truly making a difference in the lives of our less fortunate neighbors. The NEEDS volunteers and the families we serve thank you.”

Want to help meet needs in our community? Click HERE to find out how you can get involved!

Pantry coordinator Maureen shared this note of gratitude:

“Members of the Susanna Wesley Fellowship — part of the United Methodist Women — weren’t fretting about the outcome of the national election on the evening of November 5. They were focusing on the NEEDS food pantry and how they could help.

Eleven members of the Fellowship visited the pantry to learn about its history and current operation. And they didn’t come empty handed! Having previously checked out the pantry’s ‘Most Needed’ list, they came bearing gifts of laundry detergent, diapers, and the plastic bags so essential for packing up groceries for those seeking food assistance.

Thank you, ladies, for all you have done for NEEDS!”

You can get involved, too! Click HERE to find out how you can help meet needs in our community.

The women’s group at Sharonville United Methodist Church recently surprised NEEDS with a generous donation to the pantry. Coordinators Janie and Maureen shared this note of thanks, offering a peek into the pantry’s day-to-day operations.

“On behalf of everyone here at NEEDS, we’d like to thank each and every one of you for choosing to help support our food pantry.

Your donation comes at the perfect time, as more and more families are seeking emergency food aid. Our volunteers arrive each service day to find a line down the side of the building — a line that forms well before we open. In the four short hours we serve, we provide dairy items, fruit and vegetables, meat, nonperishable food, and personal/household supplies to up to 30 families.

Your support will help us continue to meet their needs, especially as we approach the busy holiday season.”

NEEDS is so grateful to Sharonville UMC and all of our donors and volunteers. You can get involved, too! Click HERE to learn more.