Walk a Mile in Their shoes

Imagine this scenario: through a series of misfortunes, you find yourself without work, in a bad financial situation, and unable to provide even the most basic of necessities for either you or your family.

You apply for government aid, and discover, much to your surprise, that while they have programs to provide assistance with food, there is no such program to help out with items such as bath soap, shampoo, deodorant, or other hygiene items.

Everyday staples, such as toilet tissue and facial tissue (also not covered by any governmental program), things that most of us take for granted, become luxury items. And while there are programs to assist with buying baby formula – there is no corresponding program to assist with buying baby diapers.

These are the real-world situations our clients at Food for Fairview face daily. While we are of course primarily a food pantry, we recognize our clients’ need for these other items, and strive to help provide them. But we need your help. We are currently experiencing critically low supplies of basic toiletries, paper products, and diapers. We would greatly appreciate your donation of any of the following:

1. Toiletries, including items such as bath soap, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, men’s and women’s razors, etc. *NOTE: For all you frequent travelers out there, we would love to have your extra travel sized items that you picked up from your hotel during your travels! However, we do request that these items be new and unopened.
2. Feminine hygiene products.
3. Paper products, such as toilet tissue and facial tissue.
4. Baby diapers, any brand or size.

While a hot shower with a new bar of soap may not sound like such a big deal to many of us, this everyday experience can make a world of difference to someone facing financial hardships. Please consider making a donation of one of these items today! As always we appreciate your support and generosity!

Tax Time: Donation Receipts
It’s tax time! Here at FFF, we appreciate your generosity, and we seek to express our appreciation by letter or, for those of you who have requested it, a yearly tax receipt. All 2013 letters and receipts have been mailed. If you did not receive yours, or need a replacement, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to provide an additional copy. Again, thank you for your kindness in supporting those in need!

Food Lion Donation
Cassia Imholz, Executive Director of Food for Fairview, was honored to attend a check presentation ceremony on March 15 at our local Food Lion.

Many thanks to our local store management team, as well as the Food Lion Charitable Foundation, for their invaluable support of Food for Fairview over the years.
(L-R: Michael, Scott, Sonya and Cassia)
 


 

 
Courtesy of The Fairview Town Crier

Thanks to Two Corporate Sponsors

Here at Food for Fairview we are blessed to have so many wonderful donors and supporters. However, we are also fortunate to have developed close ties with two of our region’s major grocery store chains. Over the years we have partnered with both Bi-Lo and Food Lion, and been the beneficiaries of their generosity in a variety of ways, including both food and reward card donations. Most recently, as a result of grants written by our organization, we are pleased to announce that we have received substantial monetary donations from both Bi-Lo and Food Lion.

Bi-Lo Holdings Foundation GrantIn December 2013, we were thrilled to receive notification that we had received a donation in the amount of $2,000 from The Bi-Lo Holdings Foundation. The Bi-Lo Holdings Foundation awards grants to registered non-profit organizations in the states in which there are Bi-Lo stores. Their primary focus is on providing funding to those organizations that address hunger issues in the communities they serve.

A check presentation was held on December 10, 2013 at the Candler Bi-Lo store on Smokey Park Hwy. I was pleased to attend and be able to meet with officials from Bi-Lo corporate headquarters as well as the leaders of other non-profit organizations in the area who were in attendance that day.

In January, 2014, we were so grateful to receive notification from the Food Lion Charitable Foundation that we received a grant from them in the amount of $2,500. The Food Lion Charitable Foundation provides support to programs that provide meals, food, or nutritional education in the communities in which Food Lion operates. The Foundation is firmly committed to supporting hunger-relief efforts in the many communities served by the Food Lion family and Bottom Dollar Food. We are looking forward to attending the formal check presentation ceremony, coming soon.

Many thanks to these two wonderful corporate sponsors whose commitment to the communities they serve has meant so much to us over the years!

Our Early Valentines

The column I am writing today in early January will be published on February 1, 2014. Although it is too early for Valentine’s Day in either case, we are feeling the love of our awesome community here at Food for Fairview!

So many fine folks have called lately to volunteer, donate food, or organize fundraising events for us. We are so grateful! We wanted to give a shout out to a few groups in particular.

First, we wanted to acknowledge the ladies of Sugar Hollow. In addition to meeting for their annual Holiday Luncheon in December, they also organized a charitable fundraiser to be held in conjunction with this event. We were thrilled to be the recipient of their generosity! Thank you, ladies!

We also wanted to thank the Windsong Homeowner’s Association. During their recent annual meeting they also held a fundraiser for us. In addition, they raised additional funds during their holiday Open House. Many thanks for the great folks of the Windsong community!

Mother Teresa wrote, “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” We definitely feel the love here at Food for Fairview, and we love our awesome community right back!

Thank You!