Dear Friends,
Earlier today, a woman came into the Outreach Center with her 5-year-old daughter; the little girl wore one black shoe on one foot and a blue sneaker on the other. While Mom was being interviewed, our volunteers brought her daughter to the clothing pantry and found her a warm winter jacket, new sneakers, and clothes for both her and her mother.
This is the face of poverty.
This is who the Outreach Center serves every day.
Because of your compassion and generosity, the Outreach Center continues to feed and care for hundreds of children, families, and seniors in Wyandanch. Each month, we provide food and clothing to more than 750 households — families who depend on us for hope, resources and stability.
But today, we are facing serious challenges. Our federal food grant of $78,000 was delayed for months and has now been canceled.; these funds were needed to purchase food for our pantry. With the ongoing federal shutdown and the ending of SNAP benefits effective November 1st, we anticipate a greater need for food at a time when our funding has been greatly reduced.
Also, our registration numbers for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and our food hamper distributions are at an all-time high, and there are still 28 days left before distribution; I am deeply concerned that, for the first time, we may have to turn away families this season.
Please, if you are able, help us get through these difficult times. Your donation, no matter the size, will make an immediate difference for these families in need.
You can donate securely through our website: http://geraldryanoutreach.org/donate
Thank you for standing with us — and with those who need us most.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please call me.
With gratitude,
Joe
Gerald J. Ryan Outreach Center
