Pantry coordinator Maureen writes, “The NEEDS pantry has learned a thing or two about soliciting donations. It’s best to begin with those who most understand the need.

Pantry staff turned to Montgomery Community Church’s MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Good Shepherd Lutheran’s MOPS and MOMS members to ask for donations of feminine hygiene products — with resounding success! Each group generated a full SUV of products after hearing that such items aren’t covered by the SNAP benefits provided to low-income families. These items are expensive, and very difficult for the pantry to keep in stock. But thanks to these local moms, we’ll be able to offer them to our needy neighbors for months to come.”

Thank you, MOPS and MOMS!

It’s always exciting to see the youngest members of our community helping to serve those in need! Pantry coordinators Janie and Maureen shared this letter to Mitchell McEnaney, who organized a food drive in his neighborhood to benefit NEEDS:

“You are amazing! Once again you collected food for the NEEDS pantry at the holidays. This was your biggest donation, as it filled your mother’s car. We are so impressed at the effort you put into making this successful. You told us that you create a Canned Food Drive flyer, place it in your neighbors’ mailboxes, and then go back to collect the donations and deliver to the pantry. It is so impressive that you are serving needy families in your area at such a young age.

You are a great example to all of us. The NEEDS volunteers and the neighbors we serve thank you.”