Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund February 2014 Pantry Patter Pantry Statistics Upcoming Events: Feb 11 Evening Hours 6:00-7:00 p.m. December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 December 2012 Households Served 246 258 269 219 Client Visits 287 304 329 207 Feb 17 Feb 23 Feb 25 Mar 29 President s Day Pantry is CLOSED 3rd Annual Felix Lamrouex Memorial BIRC Bowling Fundraiser Crofton Bowling Centre 2:00 Evening Hours 6:00-7:00 p.m. Bowie 5K Run/2 Mile Run/Walk 8:00 a.m. Bowie Town Center New Client Households Children Under Age of18 18 29 28 27 295 294 294 279 Bags of Groceries 701 736 778 554 Value of Food Distributed Percent to City of Bowie Residents Percent to Bowie Area Residents $28,855 $29,765 $31,875 $22,645 38% 45% 47% 36% 21% 19% 17% 14% Weather Closings: If Prince George s County Public Schools are CLOSED, the Pantry will be CLOSED. If PGCPS open 2 hours late, the Pantry will be open from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. If PGCPS close early or cancel afternoon/evening activities on a Tuesday, the Pantry will be CLOSED. Special Monthly Distributions February Special: Personal Care Items Donations of personal care items, full or travel size are needed. Frequently requested items include, but are not limited to, toothpaste, bar soap, lotion, deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner. Greatest Needs The items most needed at the Pantry are: Beef Stew, Corned Beef Hash, Chili, and Fruit/Applesauce
Page 2 2013 in Review 2013 was an important year for the Pantry. After many productive years of being located at the Christian Community Presbyterian Church (CCPC) first in the lobby and then in the Education Building the Pantry relocated to Kenhill Center. Formerly Bowie City Hall, the Kenhill Center is now home to many nonprofit organizations working within the community. In September the Pantry moved into the space formerly occupied by the City of Bowie Police Department. This new space gives us a larger waiting area for clients so they don t have to wait outside in the elements; a bigger parking lot for clients, donors, and volunteers; a backup generator; an open floorplan for better flow; a large interior storage room; and a separate entrance and exit. We thank CCPC for its dedication to the mission of the pantry and its cooperation as the pantry increased in size over the last several years and required more and more space. The pantry is especially grateful to Pastor James Brassard, Mission Council, and the Building & Grounds Committee for their support and encouragement. We especially thank the following for their commitment and hard work: City of Bowie Kenhill Center Staff, Dept. of Public Works, City Manager, Dept. of Community Services Dave Hackenberg Jan, Peggy, Inez Stritzinger Carousel Carpets Professional Electric Ed Haraway Exit Realty Pantry Volunteers Texas Roadhouse St. Matthew s United Methodist Church Christian Community Presbyterian Church St. Barnabas Episcopal Church The move required a lot of help both in planning and execution. So many people worked tirelessly to prepare the new space and to move us to our new location. Our new location has a separate handicap entrance which is also used for donations and cart returns. Non-Profit Status The Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 95% of pantry donations go directly to assist clients. Tax receipts are available for all donations.
Page 3 November 2013 Scouting Food Drive The annual Scouting for Food Drive took place on November 9, 2013. Many thanks to all those who left bags of food at their doors. 204 scouts and 137 adults collected 9,953 lbs of food! The Pantry appreciates all the hard work and effort put forth by the following troops and packs who made this food drive such a great success: Pack 730 Troop 1249 Pack 1040 Troop 1283 Pack 1046 Troop 1559 Pack 1559 Troop 1660 Pack 1688 Troop 1668 A special thank you to all the Scout leaders who made this possible. It takes a lot of coordination, manpower, and dedication to make this drive a success year after year. The Pantry relies on this food drive to stock our shelves in November. Thanksgiving 2013 Thanks to the generosity of so many in our community, 150 families were able to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. We are grateful to all those who donated and/or delivered Thanksgiving food baskets and turkeys: Apostolic Breakthrough International Ministries BB&T Bowie High School NHS Boy Scout Troop 1009 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Collington Life Care Community Girl Scout Troop 2994 Girl Scout Troop 3674 Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bowie St. Matthew s United Methodist Church St. Pius X Church Families Helping Families Program Unity Center of Light Visiting Angels Individual Donors Girl Scout Troop 3674 and a local homeschooling group delivered Thanksgiving baskets and entertained volunteers and clients with festive music. Members of Unity Center of Light made beautiful Thanksgiving baskets for our families.
Page 4 Special Thank You Thanks to the following who donated/collected food/money on behalf of the Pantry in November: American Legion Auxiliary Disney Bell Unit 66 Arrowhead Elementary School 5 th Grade Aveston Artesian Community Belair Engineering Berwyn Rod and Gun Club Bowie City Church Bowie Hockey Club Peewee AA Team Bowie Memorial Ladies Auxiliary to V.F.W. Post 8065 Bowie Montessori Bowie Senior Center Bowie State University Delta My Delta Honor Society:Gamma Kappa Chapter Building Hope Ministries Chapel Forge Elemetary School Classical Conversations of Bowie Crofton Bowling Centre Daisy Troop #2386 DeCaro, Doran, Siciliano, Gallagher & Deblasis, LLP Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary The Goddard School Grace Christian School Hear the Word Bible Church Heartfields Joy of Worship Ministries Magnolia Elementary School Northview Elementary School Preceptor Lamba Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Prince George s County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in partnership with Alpha Sigma Chapter, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Quality Business Services Rockledge Elementary School Samuel Ogle Middle School Shoppers Food Warehouse S.T.R.O.N.G Group Tennessee State University WDC Alumni Chapter United Parish of Bowie Whitehall Elementary School Women about Ministry in MD Woodmore Highlands Homeowner Association Middle School students at Grace Christian School collected over 400 items for the Pantry. Berwyn Rod and Gun Club members deliver a large donation to the Pantry.
Page 5 Christmas 2013 132 families were provided Christmas dinner baskets through the Pantry. Baskets included a choice of meat ham, turkey, chicken; fresh vegetables, sides, dessert, and many other goodies! We thank all those who donated food and/or baskets including: Bowie Senior High School NHS Public Safety Assistance Program St. Matthew s United Methodist Church Countless Individual Donors Trees The Bowie Lions Club donated 2 live trees plus decorations to two of our families. Two other families received artificial trees from individual donors. Thanks to all who helped make the holiday more festive for these families. They were overjoyed by your generosity. Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Alpha Sigma chapter, Phi Beta Sigma held a community food drive at Walmart after which they delivered a truckload of food to the Pantry! Toy Room Moms and Dads were able to select toys and gifts for 98 children this year. We are most grateful to all those who provided gifts for the children this year: Berg, Lawrence, and Weng Chesapeake Chorale Girl Scout Troop 639 Heaven Sent Cupcakery MOMs Club of North Bowie Patuxent Wildlife Research Center & Refuge St. Pius X Church Countless Individual Donors Adoptions A record number of families were adopted by groups this year 39 families and 138 children. We thank the following who provided gifts and/or food to Pantry clients: Beta Sigma Phi (Xi Alpha Phi) Sorority Christian Community Presbyterian Church Inovalon St. Matthew s United Methodist Church St. Pius X Cub Scout Pack 730 Individual Families Our Mission We are a community-based social services program providing emergency food and financial assistance* to those in Bowie and Prince George s County, who are experiencing need without regard to race, creed or gender. If we are unable to meet the needs, we will make referrals to others who may be able to provide the needed assistance. To serve with respect, dignity and without discrimination those in need in our community by providing food, financial assistance and other resource referrals. *Financial assistance is available to residents of the City of Bowie
Page 6 December Food Drives A special thank you to the following who donated/collected food and/or money on behalf of the Pantry during the month of December: Advance Auto #8993 American Chemical Society Angel Stamping Group Benjamin Tasker Middle School Bowie Boys and Girls Club Bowie Church of Christ Bowie Gymnasium Bowie High School NHS Bowie Ladies Golf Association Bowie Lions Club Bowie Senior Chorale Bowie Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad Chesapeake Chorale Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. Curves Glenn Dale Giant Food Freestate Mall It s All About The Hair Jewelz of Jordan Kenilworth Elementary School Kettering Community Association McChesney & Dale, P.C. Microsoft Matching Gifts Program NASA Federal Credit Union New Covenant International Ministries Old Stage Knolls HOA Patuxent Home and Garden Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and Refuge Peapod Pin Oak Village Restoration Temple Church of God in Christ Samuel Ogle Middle School The Sanctuary at Fairwood Sharing the Love Quilters Sons of the American Legion Post 66 Southern Comforter s Quilt Guild St. Barnabas Episcopal Church St. Matthew s United Methodist Church United Parish of Bowie Village Baptist Church Weichert Realtors Warm Sweatshirts Donated St. Matthew s United Methodist Church provided new sweatshirts for 84 children. Church members purchased and wrapped the sweatshirts which were distributed to the children s parents. Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund 2614 Kenhill Drive, Suite 134 Bowie, MD 20715 Phone: 301-262-6765 E-mail: bowiefoodpantry@gmail.com Website: www.bowiefoodpantry.org Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 11:00 a.m. 2 nd & 4 th Tuesday of each month 6:00 7:00 p.m. The Pantry is now located in the blue building behind the Kenhill Center. Park in the back parking lot and enter through the blue building.