Pupdate

Our seasonal site to Southpark in South Franklinton ended this month.  We worked alongside Franklinton Farms from April – November and served 185 families.  We have had the pleasure of working with Becca Brown, Executive Director at Franklinton Farms, for the past several years.  She has taken a new position and will be leaving in December.  Emma Gardner, Philanthropy Coordinator, and Michelle Nowak, Farm Manager, will be our contacts moving forward.  We wish Becca well as she begins her new job.

Our visits to Hope Resource Center have seen an increase in individuals seeking a hot meal, clothing, free on site health clinic and our Pop Up Pantry food. The need is growing.  In October, Hope had 1,593 visits (774 women and 819 men).  We are grateful that Heart to Heart and our Pop Up team are able to be there for those in need.  We have formed many friendships and enjoyed many conversations with our neighbors.

The Southpoint Christmas Gift drive is coming to a close.  We have 27 families signed up.  There are 81 children and 145 gifts total.  Janice Rook and Mark Tucker have been working to coordinate the gifts so all the children’s wishes are granted.  Our Pop Up team will deliver the gifts to Southpoint on Monday, December 11th.

We appreciate all the donors who have contributed to our Southpoint Christmas.  Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School was a big part of this effort along with Women’s Guild Groups, Couple’s Circles, Share and Learn Garden group, many family members and friends along with many others from outside the church.  It is heartwarming to have so many individuals be a part of such an important project to bring cheer to the children at Christmas.

Our team is continually blessed and grateful for everyone who contributes to Heart to Heart and the Pop Up Pantry with their continued donations and service.  We couldn’t do all this without the dedicated individuals who give so freely to our community in need.

In October, the Pop Up Pantry, delivered to the following sites:

• October 4:          Commons at Livingston – 40
• October 9:          Southpark Apts w/Franklinton Farms – 30
• October 11:        Hope Resource Center – 40
• October 18:        Southpoint – 40
• October 25:        Grant – 31

Pop Up 2023 Monthly totals:

• January:         153
• February:       161
• March:            190
• April:               171
• May:                226
• June:              190
• July:                188
• August:           237
• September:    215
• October:         181

YTD:     Individuals/families served:  1,912

We are happy to share that Guild Group RSZ members prepared 155 jars of dried bean soup jars and donated them to the Pop Up Pantry for our sites. This was a labor of love getting all this completed in one meeting – a big undertaking for sure.  Danielle at Commons at Grant was happy to be serving the residents the Bean Soup.  See photos attached.

Our Southpoint Christmas Gift Drive is beginning to take shape.  This will be our fourth year granting wishes for the children at Southpoint.  Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School will once again partner with the Pop Up Team to give the school children, along with their families and staff, an opportunity for Service Learning and giving back to our neighbors in need.

As always, our team is continually blessed and grateful for everyone who contributes to Heart to Heart and the Pop Up Pantry with their continued donations and service.  We couldn’t do all this without the dedicated individuals who give so freely to our community in need.

In September, the Pop Up Pantry, delivered to the following sites:

• September 6:         Commons at Livingston – 34
• September 11:       Southpark Apts w/Franklinton Farms – 29
• September 13:       Hope Resource Center – 42
• September 20:       Southpoint – 40
• September 27:       Grant – 31
• September 28:       Riverview International Center – 39

Pop Up 2023 Monthly totals:

• January:      153
• February:     161
• March:         190
• April:            171
• May:             226
• June:            190
• July:             188
• August:         237
• September:   215

YTD:     Individuals/families served:  1,731

The Pop Up Team has worked alongside Robert Riley from Franklinton Farms for two year during the Spring and Summer seasons distributing food and fresh produce.  Robert was instrumental in having an interpreter help us at Southpark and he always brought wonderful produce to share with the neighbors.  September was Robert’s last month with Franklinton Farms.  He has taken a full time position with the State Department.  We wish him well in his new endeavor.

Our Southpoint Christmas Gift Drive is beginning to take shape.  This will be our fourth year granting wishes for the children at Southpoint.  Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School will once again partner with the Pop Up Team to give the school children, along with their families and staff, an opportunity for Serve Learning and giving back to our neighbors in need.

We also want to thank Richard Jacob for his generous donations of toiletries to the Pop Up Team each week.  So many of our neighbors do not receive these necessary items and are so very grateful for his generosity.

Our team is continually blessed and grateful for everyone who contributes to Heart to Heart and the Pop Up Pantry with their continued donations and service.  We couldn’t do all this without the dedicated individuals who give so freely to our community in need.

In August, the Pop Up Pantry, delivered to the following sites:

• August 2:         Commons at Livingston – 29
• August 9:         Hope Resource Center – 40
• August 16:       Southpoint –  40
• August 21:       Southpark Apts w/Franklinton Farms – 26
• August 23:       Grant – 31
• August 24:       Riverview International Center – 30
• August 30:       Hope Resource Center – 41

Pop Up 2023 Monthly totals:

• January:     153
• February:    161
• March:        190
• April:           171
• May:            226
• June:           190
• July:            188
• August:        237

YTD:     Individuals/families served:  1,516

Our Pop Up team welcomed another guest volunteer.  Jennifer, Honorary Niece of Peg Roberts, came all the way from Houston, Texas, and was a part of our team for a day.  She was an expert bagger!  We all learned a few new things.  We enjoyed hearing about her work at NASA.

Heart to Heart/Pop Up Pantry had a very successful Backpack Drive.  We were able to deliver 131 filled backpacks on Thursday, August 17 to Riverview International Center and five more filled backpacks were delivered on August 24 and 31.  A grand total of 136 filled backpacks, some extra supplies and food storage containers made for a very successful School Supply Drive.  We are so very grateful to the congregation, family and friends who donated to this project.

We are also thankful for the many blessings the Share and Learn Garden has provided to the Pop Up Pantry.  The families we serve have been so happy to receive such wonderful and delicious produce.

Our team is continually blessed and grateful for everyone who contributes to Heart to Heart and the Pop Up Pantry with their continued donations and service.

~Rose and Melody

In July, the Pop Up Pantry, delivered to the following sites:

• July 5:         Commons at Livingston – 29
• July 10:       Southpark Apts w/Franklinton Farms – 19
• July 12:       Hope Resource Center – 40
• July 19:       Southpoint –  40
• July 26:       Grant – 30
• July 27:       Riverview International Center – 30

Pop Up 2023 Monthly totals:

• January:     153
• February:    161
• March:        190
• April:           171
• May:            226
• June:           190
• July:            188

YTD:     Individuals/families served:  1,279

Our team welcomed new volunteers:  Sandee Reim and her daughter, Chloe.  It was so nice to have them join us.  Both were a great help and they hope to return.

We are aware of some of the issues Southpark Apartments has been experiencing these recent months.  We are watching the news carefully and if at any time we do not feel safe, we will not put ourselves in harm’s way.  We set up our pantry in the park/playground area along with several other volunteers from Franklinton Farms. During the summer months we have also been joined by the Columbus City School district as they serve lunches each day in the same area.  There are a lot of families that come to take advantage of the food being offered by us all.  Since there have been many large families with 8-12 in a household we will adjust accordingly with our food supply.

Heart to Heart/Pop Up Pantry will be kicking off our backpack drive August 1.  We are planning to deliver over 150 filled backpacks to Riverview International Center before school begins mid-August.  Look for the Heart to Heart blog for more information.

Our team is continually blessed and grateful for everyone who contributes to Heart to Heart and the Pop Up Pantry with their continued donations and service.

~Rose and Melody

In June, the Pop Up Pantry, delivered to the following sites:

June 7:        Commons at Livingston – 31
June 12:      South Park Apts w/Franklinton Farms – 25
June 14:      Hope Resource Center – 38
June 21:      Southpoint – 39*
June 22:      Riverview International Center – 30
June 28:      Grant – 27*

Pop Up 2023 Monthly totals:

January:     153
February:    161
March:        190
April:           171
May:            226
June:           190*
YTD:     Individuals/families served:  1,091*

*estimated numbers will be available in August.

The Pop Up team has been blessed with new volunteers. We welcomed Mildred, close friend and neighbor to Melody, and Sheryl, sister-in-Law to Rose. Sheryl came all the way from Canada! They both enjoyed seeing the Pop Up Pantry at work and were amazed at all the Pantry does for the community!

The Pop Up team delivered 79 Birthday Cake boxes to Southpoint. All the boxes were decorated by the children from Wickliffe Progressive Elementary school. The families at Southpoint were excited to receive them and happy to celebrate with their children on each of their birthdays! See photos below.

Our team will be working with Heart to Heart again on our annual backpack mission. We will again be delivering to the children at Riverview International Center in August. Details can be found in the Heart to Heart Blog.

Our team is continually blessed and grateful for everyone who contributes to Heart to Heart and the Pop Up Pantry with their continued donations and service.

In May, the Pop Up Pantry, delivered to the following sites:

• May 3:        Commons at Livingston – 31
• May 8:        Franklinton Farms – 20
• May 10:      Hope Resource Center – 39
• May 17:      Southpoint – 39
• May 24:      Grant – 27
• May 25:      Riverview International Center – 31
• May 31:      Hope Resource Center – 39

• Pop Up 2023 Monthly totals:

  January:     153

• February:    161
• March:        190
• April:           171
• May:            226

YTD:     Individuals/families served:  901

Once again, Wickliffe has become a big part of the Pop Up Pantry’s service.  The school chose to do a service project for their end of you ‘Love Out Loud’ theme.  Wickliffe donated 100 Decorated Birthday Boxes!  We plan to deliver to 79 children at Southpoint and 21 children at South Park Apartments.  We are excited to be able to give these children a way to celebrate their special day.  Each box has cake mix, icing, candles, some balloons and a special decorated card.  Serving with Wickliffe…’Love Out Loud’!

Our Pop Up Team welcomed our newest volunteer, Peg Roberts.  Friend of Carla Edlefson.  Peg jumped right in!  We are so thrilled to have her join us.

Each month our Pop Up gives many who come to Hope Resource Center the nourishment they need with love, compassion and hope.  However, we are only a small part of what happens at Hope. All those devoted individuals who work and help at Hope Resource Center do amazing work.  Big things happen!  Read the testimony from Robert in this newsletter:

Happenings at Hope – Spring 2023 (thehoperesourcecenter.org)

Our Pop Up team is continually blessed and grateful for everyone who contributes to Heart to Heart and the Pop Up Pantry with their continued donations and service.

~Rose and Melody

In April, the Pop-Up Pantry, delivered to the following sites:

• April 5: Commons at Livingston – 31
• April 10: South Park Apts w/Franklinton Farms – 14
• April 12: Hope Resource Center – 33
• April 19: Southpoint – 40
• April 26: Grant – 27
• April 27: Riverview International Center – 26

Pop-Up 2023 Monthly totals:

• January: 153
• February: 161
• March: 190
• April: 171

Individuals/families served YTD:  675

We were excited to begin our seasonal site with Franklinton Farms to South Park Apartments.  Franklinton Farms was also able to secure an interpreter from CRIS, Alia Jama, to help us communicate with the Somalian families.  The weather was perfect as we welcomed and served 14 families on our first visit to South Park!  Many of the families have 8-12 members in one household.  We are so blessed to be able to provide them with food and toiletries.

We welcomed a new volunteer, Laurie Schumacher. She joined right in and got right to work! It was a pleasure to have her join us. Laurie hopes to return as her schedule allows. Thank you, Laurie!

Every site we are serving has added families. We feel fortunate to be able to help serve our community with the food that is needed to feed their families. One cannot describe the feeling of hope, love and kindness we each receive when we see and serve our neighbors. We are immensely blessed as much as our neighbors feel blessed by our pantry.

Our Pop-Up team is grateful for everyone who contributes to Heart to Heart and the Pop-Up Pantry with their continued donations and service.

~Rose and Melody

In February, the Pop Up Pantry, delivered to the following sites:

• Feb 1:        Commons at Livingston – 31
• Feb 8:        Hope Resource Center – 34
• Feb 15:      Southpoint – 39
• Feb 22:      Grant – 20
• Feb 23:      Riverview International Center – 37

Pop Up 2023 Monthly totals:

• January:     153
• February:    161

YTD:     Individuals/families served:  314

On February 8th, Hope Resource Center honored 52 of their brothers and sisters who they lost to addiction or gun violence with a touching and hopeful Memorial Service.  Their brothers and sisters were addicts/alcoholics who led complicated lives.  Unfortunately, society is quick to place a label on them and dismiss them.

Our Pop Up Team went to the Memorial Service honoring all our friends and neighbors who have passed.  It was heartbreaking to hear the names of those we served.  Our Pop Up team is blessed to have known them.  We continue to hold our Hope friends and neighbors in our prayers.

The work the Hope Resource Center does for so many is a gift.   A gift of ‘Love’ – A gift of ‘new beginnings’ – A gift of ‘life’ – A gift of ‘Hope’.  They are blessings and make this world a better place.  We are honored to be a part of this caring organization.

Several of our team attended the Heart to Heart Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.  It was good to get together and socialize with other volunteers.  We appreciate all the work Amy and Yohan put into making Heart to Heart run successfully and their continued support of our Pop Up Pantry.

We are grateful for everyone who contributes to Heart to Heart and the Pop Up Pantry with their continued donations and service.