2013 has been a good year for the Moorestown Ministerium Food Pantry (MMFP). We have seen the number of clients increase. The third Monday in November the MMFP helped 91 families. That is the largest group we have helped since we began. Food stamp reduction and word – of – mouth advertising has spread the word of our mission.
We also have a whole new crop of volunteers. The word went out and the response has been amazing. It is fun to see new faces serving and their enthusiasm can be contagious.
We continue to receive our donations from the usual sources; First United Methodist, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown Library, Grounds for Good and , to name a few.
MMFP has also been the recipient from some individual donations. Seven – year – old Bethany asked her birthday party guests to bring donations for the pantry rather than gifts. Is that an amazing child? Another resident in town wanted to share part of his recent inheritance and brought boxes of food. This same resident rides NJ Transit and has heard riders talking about our pantry. This was the first year of the tree lighting on Main Street and coordinated a food drive that brought us an enormous amount of food. God is at work all around us.
also provided MMFP with fresh produce this summer in coopera- tion with local farmers and community gardens. It was a pleasure to have our clients choose fresh produce when they arrived. And it was a pleasant surprise for them.
In September a kind soul brought us boxes of notebooks, pencils, pens, paper, so that families also had a little help in providing their children with much needed school supplies. When asked who we should thank for this thoughtful donation, we were told that it didn’t matter who provided it. The important thing was that the families could have what they need.
MMFP continues to benefit from our “Bread Angel” who delivers boxes and boxes of fresh bread each time we are opened. Jill, our coupon queen, continues to provide up – to – date coupons for those interested. Jill also brings fresh fruit each time we are opened.
Although we do have regular donors, sometimes it is just not enough to fill the need. We are still looking for ways to have more regularity to our do- nations. We would welcome any steady food drives from your place of work, club, organization, etc.
As always we are so very thankful for the support of the congregation. We could not continue this mission without you. If you have any ideas on how we can improve or if you are interested in helping please contact Brian and Cara Lowy, Cathy Roberts or Denise Boal.