HOPE worldwide in Maryland and DC Remembers the Poor at Thanksgiving
As family after family came into the Community Center to pick up Thanksgiving baskets donated by HOPE worldwide Mid-Atlantic, we heard over and over how much they truly appreciated the support.
Wilma Dean, Site Director for Rock Creek Community Services at Rock Creek Terrace Apartments in Rockville, Maryland shared stories about the residents.
One little boy was asked what he was having for Thanksgiving and his reply was rice. The staff at the Community Center thought he was joking until his mother chimed in to say this year they could only afford rice. This mother and son were so appreciative and thankful for the basket they received. Another family could not believe that the basket they were receiving included all the ingredients for a complete Thanksgiving meal as well as a gift card for a turkey. A single mother who had lost her job had been having trouble feeding her two children. The Thanksgiving basket provided much needed support. She was appreciative and thankful. One resident’s husband had passed away a few months earlier, leaving her with five children. Being able to get a basket helped this mother tremendously. The residents and staff at Rock Creek Terrace are grateful for our partnership with HOPE worldwide Mid-Atlantic and all the support they provide,” said Mrs. Dean.
HOPE worldwide Mid-Atlantic programs currently serve low income families across Washington, DC and Maryland. With an unstable economy and many people losing jobs in the area, family needs are growing in locations that had previously not been affected.
Pam Luckett, Executive Director of HOPE worldwide Mid-Atlantic also serves as Chair of the Montgomery County Community Action Board. The Community Action Board is the county’s federally designated anti-poverty advisory group. “Montgomery County Maryland is one of the most affluent counties in America. In spite of this, the percentage of people living in poverty is increasing, primarily due to the high cost of living, along with increases in unemployment,” said Luckett. “This year, the requests we’ve received for Thanksgiving baskets is double what it was a year ago. Without the support of many dedicated individuals, we would not be able to meet the needs of the families we serve.”
In order to provide food at Thanksgiving and gifts at Christmas, HOPE worldwide, Mid-Atlantic partners with various local agencies and is a member of the Holiday Giving Coalition sponsored by Interfaith Works and the Montgomery County Volunteer Center. Special thanks go out to the volunteers and donors from the Montgomery County Church of Christ, the DC Regional Church, Ron Yudd and Leadership Cares, Catholic Charities, Lockheed Martin, Kaiser Permanente, Robert Lee and The Martial Arts Center, and the Rockville United Church. Because of their generous support, HOPE worldwide Mid-Atlantic provided food for approximately 600 families this Thanksgiving season!
If you would like to find out more about volunteering in the Montgomery County or D.C. area during the holidays, please contact our HOPE worldwide Mid-Atlantic office at (240) 793-7518.
Visit us at www.hopeww.org to learn more about all of HOPE worldwide's programs and see how you can be a part of global change to bring hope to some of the world's most needy.
To read more articles from HOPE worldwide on Disciples Today:
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Hope that Leads to Change - the first Church update Click here |
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A Shining Light: How the Boston Church is Making a Difference
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Applications are open to volunteer around the world! Click here |
Or click here to see all HOPE worldwide stories on Disciples Today