Happy Easter!

I would like to start this month’s message by informing you that the Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry has been named Non-Profit of the Year by the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce (NMCC) and will be receiving the Crystal Beacon Award at a ceremony being held in May.  We can not begin to tell you how honored and excited we all are on being selected to receive this prestigious award.  We were introduced as the recipient of this award at an event held by the NMCC on March 25th.  We would like to say Thank You to the NMCC for selecting our organization.  None of this would have happened without IHOP (Keyport) proprietor, Mr. Cliff Moore who submitted our organization to the chamber for consideration on receiving this award. Thank You Mr. Moore! 

 

For information on the upcoming event please visit the NMCC website http://www.northernmonmouthchamber.com  

 

The Allan Shawn Feinstein Hunger Challenge – We have received a great response toward the Feinstein Challenge.  The challenge ends on April 30th therefore your food or monetary donations this month are truly appreciated.  To get full details on the Allan Shawn Feinstein Foundation Challenge visit their website http://www.feinsteinfoundation.org

KMFP Volunteers invited to Lunch – The KMFP Volunteers were invited to have lunch at IHOP (Keyport) by its proprietor Mr. Cliff Moore honoring KMFP Volunteer Sarah Carman’s birthday (2/09).  A great time was had by all that attended.  Thank you Mr. Moore for the good food and company.

 

Ministerium Church Leaders visit our facility – Current church leaders of the nine (9) original churches that comprise the Ministerium were invited to visit the pantry and meet some of our volunteers on March 19th.  An invitation was also extended to Rev. Glen Ferguson who was able to join us from Middletown UMC. Although Middletown UMC is not part of the original nine churches they are great supporters of our organization and for this we are truly grateful.  Also in attendance were KMFP Associate Director Marge Conway, KMFP Board of Trustees Members Helen Duthie and Kevin Kernahan and Middletown UMC member Don Duthie. Not all were able to attend due to other commitments but we had a very nice turn out.  Once the visit was complete they all gathered at St. Mary’s Hall to discuss the current status and future of the pantry. The meeting was led by Pastor Matt Thiringer, KMFP Chairman Board of Trustees.  The original nine churches and their current leaders are:

Calvary UMC, Keyport -	Rev. Harry Anderson
Community Church, Keyport -	Rev. E. J. Emerson
Faith Reformed Church, Hazlet -	Rev. Robert Dey
First Baptist Church, Keyport -	Rev. Thomas Kalb
Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Keyport -	Rev. Matt Thiringer
Grace UMC, Union Beach -	Rev. Harry Anderson
Second Baptist Church, Keyport -	Rev. Robert Williams
St. John’s UMC, Hazlet -	Rev. Lanie Price
St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church, Keyport -	Currently Vacant

 

(L to R) Rev. Harry Anderson,Calvary UMC & Grace UMC, Pastor Matt Thiringer,Gethsemane Lutheran Church and Rev. Lanie Price/St. John’s UMC (3/09)


Isaiah Cooper, KMFP Executive Director(1st Left) responds to question (3/09)

Surprise Visit – On March 19th we were also visited by Keyport Councilwoman Christian Bolte, Carla Cefalo, Keyport Neighborhood Preservation and Community Development Coordinator and Lorene Wright, Keyport Borough Administrator.  It was great having these ladies visit our facility and meet some of our volunteers and also meet our other guests that day.  Their visit was truly appreciated. 

 

 
(L-R) KMFP Volunteer Helen Vincent, KMFP Trustee Helen Duthie, Isaiah Cooper, Councilwoman Bolte and KMFP Volunteer Sarah Carman(front center) (3/09)

 

(L-R) Rev. Thomas Kalb, First Baptist Church, Isaiah Cooper, Councilwoman Bolte, Lorene Wright and Carla Cefalo (3/09)