March was another busy month for the NEEDS pantry, as SNAP emergency benefits for many families came to an end. Requests for emergency financial assistance also remained high. Here are the latest numbers:
During the month of March, the NEEDS pantry provided food to 137 families – for a total of 465 people!
NEEDS also provided emergency financial assistance to 12 families, distributing $5600.00 to cover rent and utilities.
Millions of American families rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to afford food and other essentials. During the COVID-19 crisis, qualifying families received extra funds (known as an “emergency allotment”) each month. Those funds have now been stopped.
According to a recent NPR article, SNAP participants will see an average decrease of $82 per month, with some households losing as much as $250 in assistance per month. But food prices continue to rise – as we can all see each time we visit the grocery store. For our neediest neighbors – from working parents to the elderly to those with disabilities – this reduction in SNAP benefits may make it difficult, if not impossible, to afford basic necessities.
You can help! NEEDS provides emergency food and financial assistance to over a thousand families each year. Visit https://cincyneeds.org/donate-volunteer to learn more about how you can join us in meeting the needs of our community.
The NEEDS annual report for 2022 is now available! The past year saw a steep increase in our community’s need for emergency food and financial assistance. As food prices go up and SNAP benefits drop back to pre-pandemic levels, this trend will almost certainly continue in 2023.
NEEDS remains grateful to the churches, corporate sponsors, and individual donors who enable us to meet our community’s growing needs!
February may be a short month, but the NEEDS pantry served almost as many clients as in January. Meanwhile, requests for emergency financial assistance were even higher this month. Here are the latest numbers:
During the month of February, the NEEDS pantry provided food to 137 families – for a total of 462 people!
NEEDS also provided emergency financial assistance to 19 families, distributing $7997.00 to cover rent and utilities.
This week marked the beginning of Lent – a season when many pursue spiritual disciplines such as fasting and giving to others. If you would like to support NEEDS during this season, please check out the donation calendar above!
Donations can be dropped off at Kenwood Baptist Church during our open hours (Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-1:00). Thank you!
The NEEDS pantry was busier than ever in 2022 – and the trend continues! You can help keep the pantry stocked by donating some of the most-needed items below.
Donations can be dropped off at Kenwood Baptist Church during our open hours (Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-1:00). Thank you!
Canned Food:
Pineapple
Beef stew
Clam chowder
Tomato sauce / pasta sauce
Salmon
Other Nonperishable Food:
Packaged pasta side dishes (Knorr, Pasta Roni, Lipton)
Home and Personal Care:
Shampoo
Body wash
Pump hand soap
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Baby wipes
Laundry and dish detergent
Toilet paper and paper towels
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!