Interesting to note that all three programs expressed specific needs at our recent meeting. The first need is from our linen closet with two specific items. King size sheets are in great demand as well as bath towels. Please check your closets to see if you have any to spare. Remember if you are helping someone downsize there might be just what we need in their closet. Linens are located at First Baptist Church.
The second need sounds simple but has become a costly proposition for our food bank. The cost of breakfast cereals has really gone up so if you are able to pick up some extras please think of the food bank. We have now curtailed the amount we buy because it cuts deeply into our budget. Of course other foods are always needed. The requests for canned fruits, jelly to go with peanut butter and spaghetti sauce and spaghetti are constant requests.
The third request does not cost a thing but can make such a difference to service our clients. We are hoping to find Spanish speakers to volunteer at our food and clothing programs. Our Hispanic population has increased and our need to communicate can be a challenge. We are looking for possibly retired Spanish teachers or others with that language facility. If you are interested in giving time to this worthy effort, call 765-362-3474.
Now to the very good news. Around Thanksgiving the Montgomery County Community Foundation notified us that a donor wished to provide us with a van to transport food and other goods that we give to our clients. This generous offer was followed by a down payment for a new cargo van of our choosing. We researched the best options, visited dealers and discussed what would best fit our needs. Over the course of 2023 we were renting vehicles to transport large amounts of food every month. Since we are volunteers that just added to the work and time for every trip. So in December an order was placed for a Dodge Ram cargo van at our local York dealer. Then the waiting began. Our donor wanted the van to provide a means of transportation but the decorative wrap makes it a moving billboard of how to contact us. Such a treasure for this community provides another reminder of how to help.
The second piece of good news came during the last few weeks when an endowment fund was started in the name of FISH of Montgomery County at the Montgomery County Community Foundation. FISH began in this community in 1969 and has served in different ways since that time. The endowment started at MCCF is to ensure that future generations who find themselves in need will be sustained by the generosity of those who support the endowment. The money in the endowment will not bring immediate help to put meat in our freezers or underwear for children but it will ensure that whoever steps forward to provide this service in the future will have some assurance of financial support. The most difficult part of managing the finances of our three programs is we have no way to know what the level of demand will be. We know that for about a month or so we will have fewer clients when people receive tax refunds. We also know that when May and June come demand will increase when children have all their meals at home during summer break. From doing my own food shopping this past week I know that it will not be long when our numbers swell once again.
You can see from the news I have just shared that the MCCF has had a powerful influence for good on FISH in the last year. From a grant before Christmas to the connections for donors for food last Fall followed by the donation of a van from an anonymous person to the start of the endowment. Each of these pieces of support ensure we can continue our work to help those in need. Our organization wishes to express our heartfelt thanks for all of these connections.
Everyone in our community can play a part in making life better for all of us. Please spread the word that each of us can find a way to help if we will only look.
Linda Cherry, president of FISH of Montgomery County, contributes a monthly column to the Journal Review.
