NEEDS’ pantry coordinators shared this message of appreciation for one family’s ongoing support:
“The fourth Saturday of every month, Hannah Symson and her mother, Sherrie, arrive at the NEEDS pantry with their SUV chock-full of the very items most needed at the time. And not long after they deliver, they message to ask what will be most needed when they next deliver.
The Amberley Foodshare was started several years ago by Hannah’s older sister, Logan. Both girls were attending Walnut Hills High School at the time. When Logan headed off to college, Hannah took over the Foodshare and extended its reach. The week before each delivery, Hannah fliers her neighborhood providing residents with the list of most needed items at NEEDS. And then she collects the increasingly generous proceeds.
Thanks Hannah — and Sherrie! — for all your efforts to support NEEDS!”
Interested in volunteering or holding a food drive? Click HERE to learn more!
NEEDS has already served more than a thousand families this year — and food insecurity in our community continues to grow. That’s why we are so grateful for faithful support from partners like the St. Michael Church chapter of St. Vincent de Paul! Our pantry coordinators shared this note of thanks:
“On behalf of everyone here at NEEDS, thank you so much for your overwhelming donation of food items for pantry. What an outpouring of generosity! Your parish has always been a dedicated supporter of NEEDS and our work, and we are lucky to have so many dedicated volunteers from St. Michael. Few individuals or organizations donate during the summer, and our supplies get low. Your donation will help stock our shelves for the busy fall and winter ahead.”
Click HERE to find out how you can get involved, too!
Freestore Foodbank supports over 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other organizations in the tristate area — including NEEDS. You can join their fight against hunger by participating in this year’s Rubber Duck Regatta!
This virtual event is a great opportunity to help feed our neighbors, with each purchase of five ducks providing up to 75 meals. Participants have the chance to win prizes ranging from a $10,000 grand prize to weekly grocery or gas money for a year.
“The planned cuts to SNAP and USDA food assistance programs are expected to increase the number of people experiencing food insecurity and place even greater pressure on food banks, food pantries, and community-based food programs,” according to Food Rescue US, an organization that works to reduce food waste by redirecting excess to those in need.
In 2023, Food Rescue US notes, “nearly 47.4 million Americans experienced food insecurity, including 13.8 million children.” Federal budget cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) signed into law last month will reduce the assistance available to struggling families. In 2024, NEEDS provided food and emergency financial aid to more than 2,200 families; as cuts take effect, the need in our community is expected to become even greater.
NEEDS has provided food and emergency financial assistance to more than 1000 families this year, including over 200 just last month! We are grateful to the donors and volunteers who help us to meet needs in our community.
It’s not unusual for the NEEDS pantry to serve 30 families in a day. And since children who receive subsidized breakfasts and lunches at school are home for the summer, many parents have more mouths to feed. You can help by donating some of our most-needed items from the list below!
Non-Perishable Food: Boxed cereal Chicken and beef soups Canned pineapple
Home and Personal Care: Toothpaste Deodorant (women’s) Laundry detergent
Donations can be dropped off at Kenwood Baptist Church, either at the drive-through during our open hours (Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-1:00), or in the marked boxes at each entrance. You can also donate via our Amazon Wish List, and your donation will be shipped directly to the pantry!
Summer can be a difficult time at the NEEDS pantry. Children who receive subsidized breakfasts and lunches at school are now home for those meals. And many who usually donate through schools, churches, and area companies are vacationing with families and friends. So two recent donations from St. Paul Community United Methodist Church and St. Barnabas Episcopal Church came at the perfect time!
At St. Paul, families who participated in Vacation Bible School held a food drive to benefit NEEDS. Our pantry coordinators were impressed: “WOW! The bags of items kept coming in, filling an entire large cart…Helping children understand the needs of those less fortunate is so important. Thank you for incorporating that into your programming.” Meanwhile, the congregation of St. Barnabas were equally generous in donating a variety of foods to stock the pantry shelves.
NEEDS is so grateful for ongoing support from these churches!
Click HERE to find out how you can help meet needs in our community!
NEEDS is holding our annual Student Assistance Drive!
In just a few weeks, students in the Deer Park, Sycamore, Princeton, and Silverton districts will return to school – but many families in these districts cannot afford school supplies or other essentials. NEEDS is seeking gift cards and monetary donations to help these families. Gift cards and funds give school administrators flexibility to assist students with a variety of needs throughout the year, from school supplies and transportation to food and warm clothing. You can help!
What to donate: – Gift cards from stores such as Walmart, Target, and Kroger – Visa and Mastercard gift cards – Shell gas cards (many families live in areas where busing is not available) – Check (marked for Student Assistance Drive)
Please drop off your donation during our open hours (Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-1:00), or mail your gift card or check to: NEEDS c/o Kenwood Baptist Church 8341 Kenwood Rd Cincinnati OH 45236
NEEDS has provided food and emergency financial assistance to more than 1000 families this year — including nearly 200 just last month! We are grateful to be able to help our neighbors in need.
Summer — the most challenging season for donations to the NEEDS pantry — has begun. And already we are in need of feminine hygiene products (sanitary pads and tampons) as well as toothpaste. Can you help?
You can drop off donations in the bins at both main entrances to Kenwood Baptist Church, OR deliver them to our new entrance on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-1:00. Just come in the southernmost driveway to the church, drive around the church, and look for our signs at our new entrance. If you are still struggling to find us, call (513) 891-0850.
