 3M has been very supportive to The Neighborhood Center with food drives and grant funding. We are delighted to inform you that MCNC was approved for a 3M corporate giving grant. Today we received a check for $2500!
3M has shown a great deal of interest in supporting The Neighborhood Center. They hosted a very successful employee food drive in April, which brought in about 700 pounds of food. In July, Amber Moulton, Human Resources Field Representative, invited us to apply for a one-time grant through 3M's community giving plan.
If you have a friend or contact with 3M, please be sure to express our gratitude for this grant award.
On Wednesday, Aug. 24th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., MCNC will host the Adams Street Kids as they 'ASK' About Applesauce. Members of the youth group will prepare and serve two dishes made with applesauce.They will make their recipes available to our clients, so they can better utilize items from our food pantry. This activity is a community outreach and involvement effort, spearheaded by Julie Stauffer, executive director of ASK youth organization.
We are delighted that they provide this service to our food pantry clients.
Due to the significant decrease in funding from grants and pledges in the recent months, maintaining adequate supply for our food pantry has become our number one priority. To meet the current demand throughout the summer, large quantities of necessary pantry items cost nearly $10,000 each month.
 To illustrate the continued need to restock the food pantry, see the bounty of pantry items donated by two local food drives (photo below). Food drives are a great way to replenish the food pantry needs. However, what you don’t see from this image is that just seven days later, the items were depleted and the food pantry shelves were vacant. With the loss of over $30,000 in funding, continued financial support is critical, now more than ever.There are ways you can help grow support and awareness for this urgent need. Local organizations, individuals and private businesses are leading their own food drives to help restock our food pantry shelves this summer and have included Encore Performing Arts, Maurice, Goody's, Quintin Flagg, Plymouth LP Gas, Plymouth Public Library, United States Postal Service, Washington Elementary School and Wythougan Toastmasters. We want to thank all of these groups and the individuals who donated to these drives to help us in the recent months.
Serving over 1200 families throughout Marshall County, there is an urgent need for more items to be replenished on an ongoing basis. Will you and your large group help us by leading a food drive?
We are seeking companies, service organizations, youth groups, students and ministries to lead up the efforts for a food drive. You may contact Sara Hill by calling the office, 936-3388, for details on the types of pantry items currently needed at the time of your drive. We’ve also provided a list of nine easy steps for you to take for a successful food drive, see checklist >
#1 Contact MCNC with details. (Call during office hours, (574) 936-3388)
#2 Schedule your drive date/s.
#3 Select a theme.
(examples: PB&J Drive, Birthday Cake Drive, Summer Sandwich Stuffins, Noodle Needs, etc. )
#4 Promote your drive. (suggestions: send press announcement, print flyers, add to Facebook, blog, web site, etc.)
#5 Solicit from your own family, friends, staff, customers, etc.
#6 Place a large container with your food drive info to collect the items.
#7 Provide a reward or discount for donated items. (examples: $2 off purchases for customers, pizza party if a goal is reached, special parking spot for the most items collected, etc.)
#8 Take a photo of the items collected and email them to us so we can recognize your drive and its efforts.
#9 Deliver the items to MCNC.
Fiesta Salon is hosting a food drive for the Neighborhood Center next week. Fiesta customers will receive a $2 to $4 discount off their styling, just for bringing non-perishable food items to the salon during their visit. The drive will begin on Monday, Aug. 22 and continue through the week until Sunday, Aug. 28. The Fiesta employees are excited to serve our community and they are hoping for a great turnout. Contact the salon for details: FIESTA SALONS PLYMOUTH PLAZA 2007 N MICHIGAN ST PLYMOUTH, IN 46563 (574) 935-9984 Want to learn more about how you can participate in leading your own food drive? Check out the three easy steps you can take to help by clicking here >We want to say thank you to Fiesta and its customers in advance for showing your support for the Neighborhood Center! (Please share photos with us if you can.)
We would like to introduce a new ongoing post titled, "Thanks for Shining!" where we spotlight some of the special people who have gone above and beyond to help our mission. MCNC recognizes the personal attention and dedication our donors, volunteers and board members provide. We'd like to announce this summer's selection of individual spotlights and share a bit more on why we are glowing with appreciation for their support and service.
 Donor Spotlight: Angela RidenourEarlier this year, Angela Ridenour of The Biography Spot donated her professional time and talent for a family portrait day for families in Marshall County. Over 30 families were given a free portrait session complete with two 5 x 7's and eight wallets in the pose of their choice just in time for Mother's Day. Angela tells about her experience, "I had fun creating lasting memories for all of the families who participated." Angela also said that she would like to offer this service again. MCNC would like to thank her for finding a way to use her passion to help people. For more details on MCNC's family portrait day, click here >
 Volunteer Spotlight: Fred Benner, Marcia Pownall, Elias Baca, Dan BardenThis special crew of volunteers, also known as our "picker uppers" lift our spirit, as well as our load with transportation and ongoing delivery of donated items from local businesses like Little Caesars, Krogers and Martin's. Earlier this summer, Marcia and Elias were spotted at Little Caesars during their weekly pick up of pizzas, read more here > Thank you for picking up the deliveries and helping us! We appreciate their ongoing pick up efforts.
 Board Member Spotlight: Geoff Payne
Often the necessary work of MCNC's board members goes unseen. Therefore, we would like to sing a praise about one of our special board members, Geoff Payne. Geoff supports the center not only by offering the typical resources as a member of the board, but Geoff shows sincere care and concern for the center. From stopping in from time to time just to say hello to the staff, he demonstrates support beyond his roles and duties as the treasurer. His friendliness and willingness to help is greatly valued and appreciated. Thanks Geoff!
There are many other donors, volunteers and board members who are dedicated and appreciated. Stay tuned for our fall update when we will showcase more individuals to spotlight. If you would like to participate in supporting the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, there are a variety of opportunities, including our upcoming holiday events. For more information on how you can help the Neighborhood Center contact the office at (574) 936-3388.
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