We hope that you are continuing to enjoy your summer.
At this time we would like to remind everyone that school will be starting next month. Every year we try to distribute as many school supplies to our client’s children as possible to help alleviate some of the financial impact. Last year we were able to donate school supplies to 125 children through donations. We package the items by school age and distribute throughout the month of September. If you would like to help here are some items you can donate: Book Bags, Pencil Sharpeners, Pencils, Pens, Highlighters, Markers, Loose Leaf Paper, Crayons, Rulers, Notebooks, Binders, etc. Calculators are always in demand for the older children. Hope you will consider donating a few items if at all possible.
The summer months are very hard for us because food and monetary donations are at a low. We ask that you take a look at our “How You Can Help” section and if possible donate in anyway you can. Please contact our Associate Director Marge Conway during our hours of operation for any additional information you might require.
If you are capable of lifting we can surely use your help every 3rd Thursday of the month when we receive our USDA delivery from the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean counties. Please contact the pantry for more information.
Our latest status:
- We sponsored a Roundtable Meeting on July 25th which included representatives from different agencies and local food pantries. Our guest speakers included Keyport Councilwoman Bolte, and representatives from the USDA, Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program, SEFAN, Division of Family Development, Veteran Affairs Homeless Veterans and American Legion Dept. of NJ Assistant Service Officer. We would like to publicly say Thank You to all our guest speakers who took the time to attend our roundtable. We would also like to say Thank You to The American Legion Raritan Post 23 of Keyport for donating their hall to us for the roundtable meeting.
- We will be presenting our business case in mid August to the Community Development Block Grant Panel in hopes of obtaining a grant for our new facility. Wish us luck!
- USDA will be publishing a story on our organization. Once it is published we will let you know.
- We continue to research all possible Federal, State and Local grants.
- Donations toward our new building fund continue to come in and we gratefully accept all donations regardless of size.
Words will never be able to express how grateful our organization is for all the continued support we receive from all of those who know us. Our supporters know that we continue to do whatever is in our power to assist the communities we serve not only through the food we provide but whenever possible with other services as well. Please accept this as a personal “Thank You” from the KMFP Staff and Volunteers for your generosity and support of our ongoing efforts.
If you have any questions, comments, etc. please feel free to contact us via email or call us.
Isaiah G. Cooper
Executive Director
Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry, Inc.
