NEEDS Half Year Report: January – June 2021
Check out the latest news and numbers from NEEDS below!
The Piggest Raffle Ever!
Interested in supporting NEEDS…and winning cash? The Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon’s Piggest Raffle Ever is the perfect opportunity!
Now through October 30, you can purchase raffle tickets for $5 each – with 100% of your donation going directly to NEEDS! On October 31, the Flying Pig will draw a winner of $5000 cash. The winner’s charity will also receive $5000! While everyone is welcome to celebrate Flying Pig race weekend, you do not need to be present in order to win.
Entering the raffle is easy! Just visit http://piggestraffleever.com/ and select NEEDS from the drop-down list of charities. Then choose your number of tickets and click “Adopt.”
NEEDS is so excited to participate in the Piggest Raffle Ever. Thank you for your support!
July Impact
July saw the kickoff of the Student Assistance Drive (more details here: https://cincyneeds.org/2021/07/19/now-through-august-15-student-assistance-drive/). Meanwhile, requests for food and financial assistance both increased. Here are this month’s numbers:
During the month of July, the NEEDS pantry provided food to 76 families – for a total of 277 people!
NEEDS also provided emergency financial assistance to 11 families, distributing a total of $4298.65 to cover rent and utilities.
Current Pantry Needs
Happy August! Here is a list of this month’s most-needed pantry items.
Donations can be dropped off during NEEDS’ open hours (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-1:00). If you would like to contribute but can’t drop off your donation during these hours, please contact Maureen Flanagan at 513-378-8767. Thank you!
Food:
Canned pineapple
Canned greens
Canned carrots
Canned mixed vegetables
Canned baked beans
Canned beef soup
Boxed potato mixes (scalloped, au gratin, etc)
Pasta sauce
Instant oatmeal packs
Home and Personal Care:
Toothpaste
Body wash
Shampoo
Conditioner
Feminine hygiene pads
Pump hand soap
Laundry detergent
Dish soap
Paper towels
Now Through August 15: Student Assistance Drive
In just a few weeks, students all over Cincinnati will begin a new school year. Unfortunately, many families can’t afford to purchase expensive supplies or provide their growing children with new, warm clothes for the coming winter. You can help by participating in the NEEDS Student Assistance Drive!
This year’s drive combines two NEEDS traditions: the annual fall school supply drive, and the HUGSS (Hats, Underwear, Gloves, Socks, Sweats) event that usually takes place in the winter. By combining these two drives, NEEDS hopes to get students started with everything they need for the new school year – from crayons to coats.
For the Student Assistance Drive, NEEDS is requesting financial donations (gift cards and checks) rather than physical items. Not only is this convenient for givers – it also helps to ensure that students receive the most crucial items. Donations will be distributed to over a dozen schools, and school staff will purchase the classroom supplies and warm winter clothing their students need most.
If you would like to help, please send your gift card or check (with “Student Assistance Drive” in the memo) to the address below by August 15. Gift cards from Target, Walmart, Meijer, Kroger, and Kohl’s are all welcome.
NEEDS
c/o Kenwood Baptist Church
8341 Kenwood Rd
Cincinnati OH 45236
Thank you!
June Impact
Over the past few weeks, requests for financial assistance have increased, while requests for food have remained steady. Here are this month’s numbers:
During the month of June, the NEEDS pantry provided food to 70 families – for a total of 225 people!
NEEDS also provided emergency financial assistance to 9 families, distributing a total of $3224.44 to cover rent and utilities.
Current Pantry Needs
It’s time to stock the pantry again! Below is a list of most-needed items.
Donations can be dropped off during NEEDS’ open hours (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-1:00).
Food:
Baked beans
Canned pineapple
Canned greens
Dinner mixes such as Hamburger and Tuna Helper
Boxed potato mixes
Pasta sauce
Canned salmon
Clam chowder
Granola/snack bars
Home and Personal Care:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Shaving cream and disposable razors
Feminine hygiene pads
Laundry detergent
Liquid hand soap
A Month of Generosity from Madeira Silverwood Presbyterian Church
Crystal Dahlmeier (above in pink jacket) – a new member of the NEEDS board – both surprised and delighted us with the news that her church would be holding a month-long drive to benefit the NEEDS pantry in May. Pastor Russell of Madeira Silverwood Presbyterian Church planned to collect items all month, pray over the donations on the last Sunday of May, and then caravan them over to the pantry.
The drive was a great success! At the end of the month, four carloads of donations were delivered – including much-needed items like laundry and dish detergent, paper towels, toilet paper and other personal care items, and nonperishable food.
Crystal, who also volunteers in the NEEDS pantry, provided updates on the church’s collections each week. As an extra surprise, two carloads of potatoes, onions, and apples were delivered during the last week of the drive.
NEEDS is so grateful to Madeira Silverwood not only for these generous donations, but for the congregation’s prayers and concern for their needy neighbors. Thank you!
May Impact
Over the past few weeks, requests for financial assistance have decreased, but requests for food have remained steady. Here are this month’s numbers:
During the month of May, the NEEDS pantry provided food to 74 families – for a total of 261 people!
NEEDS also provided emergency financial assistance to 6 families, distributing a total of $2188.54 to cover rent and utilities.
Society of St. Andrew and Montgomery Farmers Market Bring Fresh Produce to NEEDS
The NEEDS pantry is usually stocked with nonperishable food – but it can be difficult to provide our clients with fresh fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, the pantry has a new partner to help meet this need!
Sue Plummer, Ohio Program Coordinator for the Society of St. Andrew – an organization that brings fresh produce to the hungry – recently emailed NEEDS to see if our pantry could benefit from produce donations collected from growers at the end of the weekly Montgomery Farmers Market. Sue didn’t have to ask twice! NEEDS’ first pickup was on May 1, the day the market opened for the 2021 season. In rotation with a few other pantries, NEEDS will continue to pick up donations from the market through October.
A big thank you to the Society of St. Andrew and the Montgomery Farmers Market for sharing fresh fruits and vegetables with our clients!