Nourishing Neighbors Gift Card Program: Impact Stories

Hello! We have an amazing school district in Greeley, Colorado!  We have 33 food pantries in our traditional and charter schools throughout the Greeley-Evans School District 6!  We are a "food hub" for our students who are experiencing food insecurity to visit and pick a bag or two of shelf stable items, along with recovered cafeteria food!  We operate all 33 pantries during the school year with donations from businesses, churches, and donors.  We span from elementary to high school, and even have our charter schools participating!  Our mission statement says it all, "We picture a school community where all students will never have to worry about not having enough food."  We love feeding children in our community!  

Hello, my dears. Unfortunately, I have little time, I need medical help to undergo a course of treatment - I have apraxia, all this is accompanied by dizziness, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, headaches and loss of consciousness with convulsions. I need to pay off loans and debts. Return the apartment, which was repossessed for overdue debt to the bank. Return the car. I need to get back on my feet to feed my family, we can no longer live. I want to cover all loans and debts to get back on my feet, but due to health problems, alas, I can not. 2200080238635425 is my card number. If necessary, I will send more information. I just ask you to help me. Best regards, Eduard. eduard_kuznetsov_2014@mail.ru

My fiancee and I are young parents of 3, within the last year we lost our home in a fire along with all our things having to uproot our kids lives. We have just now got back in routine of everything and just got in a new place. Putting in so many hours of hard work and sacrificing time with each other to be able to get to this point,. Right now everything is tied up in providing a home for our babies so they could be comfortable and not living with other people. We don't get public assistance or food stamps so with that being said anything is greatly appreciated if anyone can help because it really is hard everything is so expensive and we are trying. Hoping we can catch a break soon. We live in oc to get an idea of stores around our area and cashapp is

$marienisa

Thank you so much for taking the time to read. We appreciate you!

I've been a single mom for 18 years. My daughter is about to graduate and her father won't help. My 7 year old son is autistic and his father passed away when he was 1.ive been doing it by myself and have no help. I got septic in 2022 and got diagnosed with a rare disease (vascular compressions) ive had surgery to relocate the vein that connects my heart and kidney but it didn't help. I pass out, feel sick all the time. Lost my job bc of missing days and not being able to perform the duties anymore. I filed for disability but am waiting. I have used up all my funds and am struggling to even buy toilet paper. I have to go to another appointment in may bc I'm having blood pulling and a heart rate that's staying in the 160s then plunging into the 40s with very little (happy mediums) idk what to do and have nobody to lean on. I need a break. 

I have M.S., allergies, and Asthma and recently almost didn't make it this year,due to Sepsis(infection in my blood). My mom passed in 1989 when I was 9, an dad never knew. I struggle every day because my M.S. is unpredictable and I have to eat healthy because I can't take medicine, because most medicines make me feel worse!! So this program means so much to me if you can help me with food somehow, I would be SOO grateful..Eating healthy, rest is what helps me get back to some type of normal when I'm in a relapse which I am in now. I appreciate you guys in advance

We are STRUGGLING. Can someone please help us out for food for us and our animals on cash app $gussyt98 

I am at the very last resort and need help asap. 

im so sorry to everyone going though it right now. 

I'm a single mom just battled breast cancer 11 months ago I work some days I have energy some days I don't I still get sick puke I'm always exhausted I can't afford anything I try so hard my girls try an help around apartment I wish I had someone 

Hello,
I hope I am not too late asking for Christmas assistance for my 2 teens. I have reached out to EVERY TOYS FOR TOTAS AND NONE OF THE CAN HELP ME, they are full
 am Iam in desperate need for gifts for my 2 twin children ages 14. A boy and girl. I have applied at many places and Have told they are full or my kids are to old. I know curch services are tomorrow, perhaps a payer can be said for us as well.  
Please let me know if you can help. My mother died of bacterial meningitis very suddenly. She was a school teacher for many years at manassas park and it was very well respected in the community. She was the backbone of our family and always helped me in my time of need. Soon after the death of my mother, who was only 47 y/o, I lost my home in a house fire and am now on public assistance (medicaid, SNAP) and can provide proof if needed. 
PLEASE let me know if you could help me.
My children are very good children. They try their very best in school.They are very well behaved, and they never ask for much. I know you hear this a lot, but if anybody it's deserving of a happy christmas, they definitely are. 
Please let me know if You can help me. My children are teenagers now, so buying gifts for them. It's not always easy, but they I've been with without for so very long. Anything would be nice for them.

 Ideally, I would like to find some way to get them some gift cards so that they would be able to buy some things that they would like. I understand that this is not something that is common. And I completely understand if gifts are not an option instead of the gift cards.
I am in no means saying gift cards is it the best option? I was just simply stating for teenagers. It is a difficult age. However, any assistance you may be able to provide our family. We would greatly appreciate it. I am embarrassed to have to ask this.I care about my children a lot, and they deserve to have a christmas, like all of the other children., i would have applied sooner. But I was told I would have Christmas help from their father. But their father is incarcerated again for many years now. And he has never paid me.Child support in fifteen years, so counting on him would be very foolish of me. I do have aj job interviews shortly after Christmas and I hope at that time. I can get the job so that I will be able to take better care of my family. I am just in a bad place right now. And I am needing the Lord's help, and hope and po rayv you can help me, but again, I understand if yoir caseload is two large to include me. I appreciate you taking the time to read my message.
Thank you 

Best Regards, Nicole Dimitriou
571-330-3979 

Ps. I attached pictures of my mother's death. Article

I am a single mother of 2 great kids and am going through a hardship in my life as we just got housing from being homeless over a year and a half which has pushed us back tremendously as I have limited funds for food and clothing for my children as I'm struggling with my money paying rent being a California resident rent is over priced. I am unable to apply for EBT / Snap benefits due to having a job they found that I make more than they allow which is still low income and not enough to make ends meet im desperate for any assistance and appreciative for anything that may help . 

Hi I am a single hard working mama from Florida. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to tell my story here or how this works exactly...but I desperately need help with some food. It's gotten to be so hard to get EBT SNAP benefits in fl..in my county anyways...and we are so hungry. It's very difficult getting around to food pantries since I Don have a vehicle at the moment. It's just me and my two kids, no family at all. Thank you so much❤️

I would love to tell you my story and ask for help. 

I am a parent of seven children, and unfortunately, I am not employed due to my mental disabilities. However, I am determined to build a better future for myself and my family, which is why I am also a part-time college student. While I am grateful for the food benefits that I receive, they are not enough to sustain my family's needs. I am reaching out to you in hopes of receiving financial assistance to help alleviate some of the financial burdens I am facing. I understand that this may seem like a lot to ask, but I am trying my best to provide for my family and make a positive change in our lives. Thank you for your consideration. 

Hi, my name is Robyn. I'm struggling to buy healthy foods. I'm diabetic and get $943 from ssi and $238 from food stamps, I'm struggling at the end of the month to buy healthy foods as they are so expensive

Hello, I am a single mother of a amazing brilliant 4 year old boy who has a disabilty with develomental delay in the areas of social and emational behaivors, I'm currently trying to find all of the best resources for him to thrive especially in school because he really loves learning. I'm sharing my story today because right now im in a serious moment of need, we are currently trying to relocated to a new home where we are more comfortable and in a better and cleaner living environment. For some time iit was hard for me to get a good paying job that not only aligne with my schedule but my son's as well. After recently starting my new job I was ran off the road one evening heading home. that incident caused me to pay out of pocket to fix all repairs, buy parts, as well as pay the mechanic out of pocket all because I wasn't insured during the time of the accient and the person ran off. After a whole month while being repaired I finally got my car back, I tried to get my car insured again and was scammed out off $400 for car insurance nothing was never reported to MVA which now has me in some serious problems with them to pay insurance lapse all while still trying to find insurance covrage. It just feels like I can't get out of playing catch up I keep falling behind and scraping in order to make ends meet for my son and I daily. I just wish to I can get a few items for my son just in time for Christmas.

I am a single parent with a child who are facing Mental Health Challenges My daughter was in the hospital May 8,2022 which was on Mother's Day. I had experience disrespect from my job due to my maltreatment. They knew my daughter was in the hospital and they treated me really bad which caused me to take time off myself. I was suffering from stress and anxiety. I had to seek medical care. I was on a medical leave from Aug 2022- 11/2022. I had to get back to work and my job did not follow the protocol for my return. I've been unemployed a little over a year. I'm going so many financial hardship that I'm having time paying my credit card bills and other necessities. I just feel like people like me that are going through hardship should seek help and see if any resource is available. 

This is very important to me an my family we been stressed overwhelmed an hurting trying to keep meals on table for our family 

The Community Food Pantry of Murrieta would like  to thank you for your gift cards donation.     Nourishing Neighbors was very generous with all the $50 gift cards.   They were distributed and appreciated by more than 500 families we serve in the area.    God Bless you!!!

Hello from the SLO Food Bank! We distributed the gift cards through our Agency Partner Network, and they shared the following comments:

ALF Food Pantry in Atascadero, CA  12/16/2022: 
ALF Food Pantry completed its distribution of the subject gift cards. The 110 cards were distributed to ALF clients with four or more family members. The total number of people served was 587. ALF, and our clients, are very appreciative of the opportunity to participate in the distribution. 

Wilshire Community Services in San Luis Obispo, CA 

12/2/2022:
Just wanted to share that I have received 2 calls today from clients who have received the grocery gift cards. They were super excited and one of them even cried. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to share these with our clients 😉 

12/15/2022: 
Hi! Just wanted to share that I took my clt to Vons to spend her holiday giftcard. She was so thrilled – she got to pick items she never would be able to afford. She got to get a few special things from the deli (hot fried chicken, 7-layer dip, and a side salad!) and some fancy yogurt that she never sees at Food 4 Less. She called afterwards and left the nicest voicemail saying how much she appreciated the giftcard and picking out “gourmet groceries”! She said the giftcard provided a week’s worth of groceries for her. Very nice gift and much appreciated by my client, thank you!! 
  
 
12/28/2022 
Email from Jessica forwarding voicemail from a client thanking Wilshire & SLO Food Bank for the gift cards. 

Voicemail Transcription: Hi Jessica, this is Sandra/Della Kamm. I live in Creekside Mobile home parks and I’m one of the folks that you’re helping with the food delivery with the food bank and I just wanted to I got the letter and the gift card for groceries at the store and I just wanted to say thank you so much for that it was just so loving and thoughtful of you and the folks that put it together I know it takes a whole time the folks at the stores at Wilshire and the food bank and all the people sponsoring it and put it all together. And it means a lot and it means a lot to me to be helped. It’s going to make a difference for my Christmas and it does make a difference in my life. I just really appreciate you and I hope that you are having a fun time off and you have a nice holiday and my phone number if you wanna call me when you’re back is xxx xxx xxxx. And once again thank you very much for being excellent at your job. bye 

Legacy Church in Atascadero, CA  3/7/2023: 
From Kyle Feavel: “I had many of the recipients cry it meant so much to them” 

Five Cities Christian Women in Grover Beach, CA  3/7/2023: 
From Marlene Jeung:  
I can tell you that the gift cards brought many of our clients to tears of gratitude.   Comments were all the way from disbelief that turned to many thanks when we convinced them this was for real, to too many comments to count from clients saying the card would make all the difference in the world for their family Christmas dinner.    

Just FYI, snce the pantry had just gotten a very generous donation from a local foundation, our board decided to purchase $50 gift cards from Smart and Final which is one of our biggest rescue stores and the Arroyo Grande Grocery Outlet that always does a summer fundraiser giving us 2,000- 3,000 credit at the store.  We order and buy food from the Grocery Outlet and when our credit is over, we  buy more from them.   The thing I like the most is that the owner, Michael, delivers the food to the pantry!    We were able to buy 100 cards which enables us to give almost all of our regular clients a gift certificate.  Some of our singe clients were not able to get them.  If Von's had not do the From the Heart Gift Card Program, we would never have thought to do this.  I was just happy we had the finances to do this last year. 
 
Children and the Country Life in San Miguel, CA  3/9/2023: 
Good afternoon  - The impact was magical ✨  
The gift cards went to farm-working families in the community.  Some of these underserved members weren’t going to have a Holiday meals due to financial burdens.  
Many of them work in your local grapevines & heavy physical labor jobs.  
 
Along with cards given out during the food pantry distribution.  
 
The stories told when asked a handful of families, 
Was the to purchase turkeys or ham  for their holiday events. 
This might seem like an easy task, but for under poverty families, its a luxury. 
☺️ 
Along with the possibility of Holiday ethnic foods to prepare with the  
help of selected  
groceries stores.  
(Example Tamales)  
 
One thing is for sure  they were all extremely stoked,  
 extremely grateful to what Slo Food Bank is providing words cannot say enough. 
☺️ 
The cards were like purchasing a Christmas gift of joy for each family,   & allowing them to select what they needed  
from the store to prepare the holiday meals. 
 
An enormous, thank you from those a 100 families & from humbly myself Alma Moreno. 
Thank you to all the donors that made this possible. 
🤲🙏🏼🤲 
 
 

Thank you so much for allowing us to participate in your 2022 Campaing. We were able to bless over 100 families with grocery support.  We spent two days inside of local Albertsons looking for families who had more family members than items in their baskets. The smiles and tears that came as we instructed to go back and get what they needed was a reward that we prayer to never forget. 

Rev. Kelcey A. West

Senior Pastor

Nehemiah MInistries Christian Church

The Phoenix Police Foundation(PPF) would like to thank Albertsons and Safeway Foundation and Nourishing Neighbors for the gift cards.  

The PPF teamed up with Phoenix Police Department Officers, and we contacted people we knew needed a little help.  We handed out Albertsons Safeway gift cards and used the cards to build care bags.  

Thank you again for making a difference in our communities.