When Jeannie Dussault of Westminster Abbey heard about a grant from the Brothers’ Disasters Department, she immediately thought of the Shepherd’s Rod, a community necessity for those in need. After talking to the non-profit organization Cindy Potee, she immediately applied for a $3,500 grant.
Dussault said her conversations with Potee revealed how the epidemic has led to a drop in donations, as confirmed by Brenda Meadows, the executive director of the non-profit organization.
Meadows said: “We had to cancel the empty bowl game last year, this year we switched to the through train option, and in 2020 and 2021 we canceled our designer handbags and bingo games and code auctions.” “We We must figure out innovative ways to reorganize some activities and create new ones to ensure that we have the necessary funds to serve the community.”
Dussault, the church’s community spirit coordinator, explained their organization. Eight people living in the Carol Lutheran Church Village collected 500 plastic bags, which were the food they sent during the pandemic. Another group of five groups purchased items on local and online demand lists. Then, three staff members put these items into the bags, and another team handed them over to the shepherd’s staff.
Dusseau said: “The items in the bags are arranged along the three walls of the fellowship hall of the church.” “The small group in the church family placed 65 food orders, each ordering three bags, plus 40. Personal care supplies bag.”
She said: “I feel really grateful for our common humanity and how some of us started life with more cards.” “During COVID, my motto became. “Bring what you need and share What you have. “Stand there and assemble the bags-for me, every bag is praying. Prayer only touches life, makes a difference and exudes a little love, without restraint.”
She said: “An example is the Eck Lawn Service Company.” “In the months of spring, summer and autumn, they will take care of our lawns for free so that the funds originally used for these services can flow directly back to the community. Owners. A family member of, who received services through the “Back to School” program many years ago, has never forgotten what this kindness meant to them when they were young. Shiloh Pottery of Hampstead helped us raise money for the “empty bowl” The fundraiser raised the bowl and allowed us to host this year’s event. The “New Horizons Pioneer-Maryland” chapter helped reserve our emergency food pantry. Students from Carroll Lutheran School drove for a drive and recently Personal care products were provided in two shipments.
On the day of delivery, Dussault visited church member Ray Mariner and his truck. The sailor said that his 18-year-old son Justin came to help.
“I live in the Randallstown area,” Mariner said. “Across our area, we found that people in need have food to choose from at any time, and there are many people in line. Walking down a place sometimes causes rows of cars waiting for food to fall down. I think this epidemic Enraged the demand.”
She said: “When I moved to this community for the first time and used any available program, I realized how shame the process was, and others would still belittle those in need because of their inner goodness. .”Say. “We give sincerely, but we must proceed from a safe and self-sufficient standpoint. It is very important to have a level playing field and the willingness to show our humanity and see humanity in others.”
She said: “This kind of donation is very useful.” “In-kind donations not only release funds for emergency assistance programs, but also release funds for our services. For example, if you are a family with two children, and You can use programs such as the Blessings closet (distribute personal care essentials), the Call for Coats program (distribute warm weather coats during cold months), the school program (provide necessary school supplies for the children to restart the year), you It can easily release more than one thousand dollars in a year, and the money can be used for transportation, food, rent and other expenses. Utilities.
“(Who wrote: “I can’t say anything better than our guests, “Even when… I found a job, they helped me. The shepherd’s staff cares just because I have a job It doesn’t mean that I will not go through hard times. God bless them. I don’t know what to do. Thank you very much.’”
One way others can help is to participate in non-profit organization fundraising events, including the upcoming Shine into Summer sweepstakes.
A lottery ticket will be drawn every working day in June, with a chance to win a daily prize of US$50 and above. All purchased tickets will also be eligible for the grand prize on June 30. View prizes and buy tickets online at go.rallyup.com/shepstaffshine.
She said: “Working in such a generous and caring community is really frustrating and exciting.” “Words cannot describe the meaning of meeting and interacting with so many beautiful donors through our work at Shepherd’s Rod. . We are grateful every day for the experience with the donors and the opportunity to be with our guests.”
Post time: May-15-2021