After a year of meeting greater needs in our community than ever before, our volunteers hit the ground running in 2023!
Gift cards from the Student Assistance Drive were recently distributed to several local schools to provide warm winter clothing and supplies for needy students. January was also a very busy month for the pantry. Here are the latest numbers:
During the month of January, the NEEDS pantry provided food to 145 families – for a total of 512 people!
NEEDS also provided emergency financial assistance to 16 families, distributing $6950.00 to cover rent and utilities.
Would you like to help a neighbor in need? Donating to the pantry is always a great way to make a difference! Please check out this list of most-needed items.
Donations can be dropped off at Kenwood Baptist Church during our open hours (Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-1:00). Thank you!
Canned Food: Collard greens Carrots Pineapple Sweet potatoes / yams Tomato sauce (This is our GREATEST need right now!) Chicken and beef broth Spaghettios with meatballs Macaroni and beef
Other Nonperishable Food: Packaged pasta side dishes (Knorr, Pasta Roni, Lipton) Hamburger and Tuna Helper (name brand or store brand) Dessert and snack items
Home and Personal Care: Shampoo and conditioner Deodorant Sanitary pads and tampons Baby diapers (size 5 and 6) Laundry detergent Cat food and litter
Happy New Year from NEEDS! It has been an exceptionally busy year for us, and we are excited to continue serving our neighbors in need in 2023. Here are our pantry and financial aid numbers for December, as well as totals for 2022.
During the month of December, the NEEDS pantry provided food to 129 families – for a total of 429 people. This brings our total for the year to 1430 families and 4869 people!
NEEDS also provided emergency financial assistance to 18 families, distributing $9165.48 to cover rent and utilities. Over the course of 2022, NEEDS provided $64,096.48 in emergency aid to 158 families!
Last month, the number of people served by the pantry increased by almost 20%! There were also many requests for emergency financial assistance. Here are the latest numbers:
During the month of November, the NEEDS pantry provided food to 145 families – for a total of 469 people!
NEEDS also provided emergency financial assistance to 13 families, distributing $5900.00 to cover rent and utilities.
The holiday season is fast approaching! If you’re looking for a fun and meaningful way to count down to Christmas, this pantry gift Advent calendar is for you!
For each day in the Advent season, we are requesting a specific much-needed item to stock the pantry. Donations can be dropped off during our open hours throughout the month of December. Thank you!
Last month, the number of families served by the pantry remained steady, while requests for emergency financial assistance went up. Here are the latest numbers:
During the month of October, the NEEDS pantry provided food to 124 families – for a total of 396 people!
NEEDS also provided emergency financial assistance to 17 families, distributing $7125.00 to cover rent and utilities.
We’re in need at NEEDS! The pantry shelves are getting bare. You can help by donating some of these much-needed items.
Please be assured that the NEEDS pantry will make good use of ANYTHING you are able to donate!
Donations can be dropped off at Kenwood Baptist Church during our open hours (Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-1:00). Thank you!
Canned Food: Corn Collard greens Carrots Pineapple Chili Refried beans Tomato sauce Cream of mushroom and chicken soups Bean with bacon soup Clam chowder Vegetable soup
Other Nonperishable Food: Boxed cereal(This is our GREATEST need right now!) Oatmeal and instant flavored oatmeal packs Peanut butter Pasta Packaged pasta side dishes (Knorr, Pasta Roni, Lipton) Dessert and snack items
Home and Personal Care: Shampoo and conditioner Deodorant Sanitary pads and tampons Toilet paper Paper towels Laundry detergent
Pantry coordinator Maureen recently shared this wonderful story:
“Elizabeth has been coming to the NEEDS pantry for quite a while. She’s a busy woman, volunteering regularly and raising her two granddaughters. She used to come for groceries and tote them home in a stroller. But recently, she acquired a three-wheel bike that enables her to carry more. She’s always cheerful and friendly, and often offers to help pantry volunteers with their tasks.
In talking about her family, Elizabeth told us that she’s one of 12 children. Imagine being part of such a large family! One day when she arrived, she told us that her mother had just passed. She told a few family stories and said how much she missed her mom.
Elizabeth hardly expected to inherit anything, but found that her mother had left her some money. She immediately came to the pantry and said that she wanted to give a gift to NEEDS with some of her inheritance, as we had helped her get through some hard times. Imagine our surprise when Elizabeth pulled up on her bike and gave us a very generous check in support of NEEDS!
The expression ‘paying it forward’ can sound trendy and nice. But when someone who’s known need gives with gratitude and generosity, it adds a truly special meaning to the expression.
