A Message from the Executive Director
February 2006

Isaiah G. Cooper

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February has been known for a month when we tell the people in our lives how much we care about them. The Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry also wants to tell the people in our life – ‘Our Clients’ that we care. We are always there for them if they need our assistance and will do everything in our power to help them through their difficult times. Of course, we are not a ‘one person show’ we are able to serve them better with the assistance of all our Sponsors and Individual donors and for this we continue to be eternally grateful. So often it’s the “big stories” that get all the attention. Yet you and I both know that our service on behalf of others continues day-in and day-out…….usually without much fanfare. These efforts touch the lives of untold families, young people, and seniors and sometimes even our own.

I thought it would be appropriate this month to publicly recognize each of our KMFP Volunteers and let them know that their years of service to our organization is admirable. The combined total years of service of our volunteers in serving our communities equates to one hundred and five (105) years as of 2006. Amazing! Throughout the year I will be telling you more about each one of our volunteers but for right now here is the breakdown of their years of service:

• Marge Conway, Associate Director – 12 years
• Ann Conway – 12 years
• Isaiah G. Cooper, Executive Director – 11 years
• Sam Woods – 10 years
• Dorothy Bennett – 9 years
• Sarah Carmen – 8 years
• Helen Vincent – 8 years
• Lois Bujalski – 8 years
• Helen Lynch – 8 years
• Raul Redondo – 5 years
• Dorothy Scalzo – 5 years
• Al Scalzo – 5 years
• Byron Shafer, Webmaster – 2 years
• Maria Connors, Registrar – 1 year
• Ben Defibaugh – 1 year

Now for the latest status:

1. We continue to work with the Township of Keyport for the land we require for our permanent location.
2. We continue with the submission of grant applications.
3. Our New Building Campaign Fundraiser is still in full force.
4. Ken Marr, Keyport OEM Coordinator held a meeting at the end of January requesting that Keyport organizations, businesses, churches, etc. become part of his effort of establishing a team that would be available to assist in the event of a major disaster. As a food pantry we would be able to provide food supplies should there be a need therefore, we informed Ken he could count on us.

Remember that we update our website regularly to ensure that we provide you with the latest status on all our efforts, so make sure you visit us often and as always The KMFP Staff and Volunteers cannot Thank You enough for your loyal support, past, present and future.

Isaiah G. Cooper
Executive Director
Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry, Inc.