It’s always about the numbers, and the numbers steadily rise. Our “Neighborhood”
Is a growing neighborhood.
One new Neighbor has been homeless since she immigrated to the US from Africa. She is already working with immigration resources and has a job as a care giver. She is a college graduate who earned her degree in a French speaking school. She assures us that she is safely documented and working hard on her English. As soon as she is comfortable with her English, she can put that college degree to work.
Another first time Neighbor is newly homeless with two pre-teen children. Of course, she is desperate to find shelter. She’s actively researching resources. We were able to suggest a few more and look forward to an update next Saturday.
A new record breakfast count! The Pemco Insurance team served 168. Their much-appreciated menu included scrambled eggs, ham, hash brown potato patties, oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins, fruit juice and cinnamon rolls. It was a feast!!
Clothing donations have been generous recently. Please keep them coming. It’s time for warmer clothing. We will never have enough men’s jeans in smaller sizes, 30-inch waist to 36-inch waist.
Our pantry numbers reflected our breakfast count. They gave 84 grocery bags and two family boxes. Our grocery bags are a bit slimmer recently due to funding deficiencies. Our Neighbors never complain. They speak their appreciation for what they receive and seem to especially look forward to banter with members of the pantry team.
Medical Care is an ever-growing benefit at Neighbors in Need. Nurse Christine with Advocates Recovery Service was busy the entire morning. She and her fellow professionals are caring consultants. They listen to Neighbors’ concerns and because our Neighbors respect that care, they follow through when advised to go to emergency or a clinic.
Next week’s medical care will include Nurse Gail, the dental van, and a team of foot care specialists.
Many thanks to everyone who attended NiN benefit night at P.F. Chang’s restaurant. 
We haven’t heard yet what the total donation was. It was just a very fun evening. Thank you, Sarah, for a beautiful flyer and for a lot of communication work.
Gregory Boyle, SJ writes “You don’t go to the margins to make a difference. Then it’s about you. You go to the margins so that folks at the margins make you different.” He may have discerned that while visiting our Neighbors in Need volunteers.
With gratitude,
Joan
For NiN leadership
