Weekly Update
Statistics
Client Visits
- 65 in Drive-Thru on Tue, Feb 25
- 35 at Pop-Up Pantry on Wed, Feb 26
- 77 in Drive-Thru on Thu, Feb 27
- 20 New Families this week
- 1249 YTD Visits
February Recap
February has been a month full of events to celebrate this ministry. Read the recaps and see the photos by clicking the image below.
Volunteers Needed
We need volunteers next week. Click the button below to sign up.
Monday, March 3
9:00 am – 10:00 am Direct Retail Pickup (1)
9:30 am – 10:30 am Cold Stocking (1)
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm Shop & Stock (1)
Tuesday, March 4
8:00 am – 9:00 am MOFB Shop-Thru (1)
8:30 am – 10:30 am Drive Thru Opening Shift (7)
10:00 am – 12:30 pm Drive Thru Closing Shift (8)
Wednesday, March 5
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm MOFB Shop-Thru (1)
Thursday, March 6
8:30 am – 10:30 am Drive Thru Opening Shift (5)
10:00 am – 12:30 pm Drive Thru Closing Shift (1)
Friday, March 7
9:30 am – 10:30 am Cold Stocking (2)
News
Thanks, Yohan!
SHHH… IT’S A SECRET… KIND OF
There is no food pantry without the effort of our amazing team of volunteers. Take this opportunity to thank Coach Kim, too! Everyone is invited to share a message of appreciation to Yohan Kim, Heart to Heart food pantry manager.
Yohan’s four-year “workaversary” is March 1, so we will present these as a gift for him in celebration next week. However, we will leave the station open for this activity through Friday, March 7, and add to it as the week goes on! If you cannot make it in before then, please send your very brief note for us to transcribe. (We are talking 1-2 sentences)
All the materials needed to participate are provided. Look for the sign pictured above for the Thank You station outside the Weist Room at FC South. You do not have to be a volunteer to participate.
Generosity Match-a-thon
Donations made to Heart to Heart through March 31 will be doubled up to $20,000 thanks to the generosity of Duke Thomas. He offers this matching grant in loving memory of his wife, Jill, who was the first official director of Heart to Heart. This is the eleventh year we have received this gift from the Thomas Family, which has enabled our food pantry to serve an ever-growing number of clients.
The success of this fundraiser directly impacts our ability to serve the greater Columbus community, including neighbors like Stacia Billings. Stacia is a client that visits Heart to Heart regularly, often traveling by foot. In the video below, she reflects on the positive impact Heart to Heart has had on her life.
We are grateful for the generosity of the donors who contributed so far. As of Wednesday, we have raised $10,369 toward our $20,000 goal! If you would like to make a contribution toward this campaign, click the button to donate online or make checks payable to First Community Church with “Heart to Heart” in the memo field. You can mail or drop off checks at First Community South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd. Columbus, OH 43212
Volunteer of the Month
Bill Hinga is the volunteer of the month! He says, “I always feel uplifted when I finish a shift with Heart to Heart and am so grateful to have just spent quality time with such wonderful people.” Read more>>
PUPdate
On Wednesday, February 19, Pop-up Pantry volunteers braved 20 degree temperatures to deliver groceries to the doorsteps of residents of Southpoint Apartments. Read more about their chilly delivery>>
March 16 Hygiene Drive
Heart to Heart food pantry will hold a once-a-month donation collection during Sunday worship services to promote material contributions for those attending First Community for worship. If you are attending services at North, please look for the donation station sign in the parking lot and drop off your donations before you come inside! If you’re attending services at South, please look for the donation cart at Crane welcome center, where you can drop off your donation with our volunteer.
Please bring your donations of personal care items with you to worship on Sunday, March 16. The food pantry welcomes donations including toiletries, feminine hygiene, dental care products, etc. As we are able, we provide these items to clients both in the Drive-thru and Pop-Up Pantry, in addition to groceries. These items are necessary and often come with significant expense, but not covered by SNAP benefits. Your contribution allows us to provide an additional means of support to our Central Ohio neighbors, who are already struggling to make ends meet.
News
There has been plenty of distressing news over the past few weeks about policies and government efforts that will disproportionally affect those already struggling, including food pantry clients. We encourage you to stay up-to-date with these changes as they occur to best understand the impact on our client neighbors. A few stories are listed below, with resources and some good news sprinkled in:
- Potential state funding cuts to food banks
- How cuts could affect people statewide
- Food banks face challenges as egg prices rise
- MOFC email – how to respond to ICE visit
- Treats-4-the-Streets serves the unhoused
Heart to Heart is fortunate grateful for the resources that allow us to continue serving our community. In 2024 alone, we served 30,548 individuals across 71 zip codes. We saw 1,902 new families at Heart to Heart, but anticipate even higher demand in the coming months. Thank you for everything you do to contribute to our overall success.
