tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6335973325216612372024-03-05T01:06:34.644-05:00Germantown HELP NewsCurrent news and updates for Germantown HELP, Inc.Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-59414901090273939632012-11-11T16:32:00.001-05:002012-11-11T16:32:35.168-05:00Thanksgiving is almost here......and we need help! With over 870 households seeking assistance, we are stretched thinner than ever. Even to get each household just a $20 gift card would be over $17,000! If you can help, please go to our <a href="http://www.germantownhelp.org/support-us.html">website</a>. <br />
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Thank you!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-81211265709809555662012-05-17T09:28:00.001-04:002012-05-17T09:28:59.169-04:00Thanks so much to Neelsville Presbyterian Church and the Letter Carriers Association's "Stamp Out Hunger" food drives! They are much appreciated!<br />
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Our website was hacked again. There seems to be some inside knowledge; we'll be changing our site altogether soon. Thanks to everyone who let us know!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-59121723944544212082012-04-29T20:47:00.001-04:002012-04-29T20:47:31.782-04:00Back on the BlogAfter a long blog hiatus, we're back! We've been communicating mostly through Facebook, but just in case you're not on Facebook much, we'll try posting here, too.<br />
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Thanks very much to Mother Seton Parish, Neelsville Presbyterian Church and United Church of Christ Seneca Valley for your recent food drives! And Greenridge Baptist Church has been lending us part of a trailer for over a year now for overflow and records storage; this is a big, big help, since we haven't had to pay for a storage unit when big piles of food come in.<br />
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WE NEED A FRIDGE AND FREEZER! If anybody has any ideas on the donation of a commercial refrigerator and/or freezer, please let us know at info@germantownhelp.org. A smallish commercial freezer, like the ones you see at 7-11 that hold a lot of milk, etc., would be terrific. And it's past time to replace both the fridge and chest freezer in the pantry...<br />
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Thanks so much for your support!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-15787979802123879972010-08-18T09:30:00.005-04:002010-08-18T10:00:32.768-04:00Best Practices? Time to Review...From time to time, some of our clients have expressed a sincere wish to support the work of Germantown HELP. Far from "feeling entitled," many of our clients are grateful and want to give back.<br /><br />In the past, though, this really hasn't been possible. Historically, our work has been done by volunteers who go in and out of the pantry at odd times, have the security code and responsibility for the pantry as they volunteer. We had two main categories: The Volunteer and The Client.<br /><br />Not only does this waste a potential source of willing workers, but it disrespects our clients. Why, because someone asks for help, do they become suddenly unworthy of trust? If they are interviewed, as any new volunteers are, and have good references, shouldn't they be able to become part of the organization? Can't some activity be structured to provide almost any of our clients the ability to give back?<br /><br />Some organizations in the county shy away from using minors, even teenagers, to work for them. This is almost 100% true for any interaction with clients. We have found kids and young adults to be an excellent source of compassionate help. We're not foolish - they are supervised carefully, and given tasks appropriate to their age and abilities. But face it, they are stronger, more flexible, and usually more fun than most adults. They want to help and they want it to be meaningful. They are being raised to believe that they must get student service learning hours, that they should help in the community; but they are often banned from meaningful work. We wish we had more tasks we could share with them. <br /><br />The old rule was that clients couldn't volunteer until they got back on their feet and didn't need our help any more, that it was sort of a conflict of interest. Perhaps, though, volunteering will provide a little more self-respect for our clients, and be just a little bit more helpful than bringing by a box of food from time to time.<br /><br />Germantown HELP will be going out in the next few weeks and interviewing some of our regular clients (and some new ones, too), to see what their views on our organization are. We will be asking our many excellent and loyal volunteers their input, too. It's time, as we go into our worst-funded and busiest time of year, for a positive outlook and appreciation for everyone's potential contribution.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br /><br />Cindy MajaneGermantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-1654148431280215472010-08-03T14:17:00.002-04:002010-08-03T14:21:03.030-04:00Here it comes... !The Emergency Food Program is usually very busy in August and September. This year looks to be no exception: Today, we had 24 requests for help, which is way more than we can serve. We will probably be having some delivery marathons to catch up, it worked really well last year. We are seeing a lot more new households that have never requested help before, as well as more older adults raising their grandchildren on fixed incomes.Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-66514443659514795162010-03-17T09:14:00.002-04:002010-03-17T09:16:22.678-04:00A Winter's TaleIntrepid volunteer Raya McCree writes: <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />Winter blues are finally over…..This winter proved to be a challenging one as it relates to the blizzards…. Germantown HELP drivers Raya and Treava were determined to deliver during the 1-week blizzard. They were fighting the storm, resolved to bring food to clients, not allowing the weather to keep them from their goal. They were suddenly brought to a halt and became stuck in the snow………Fortunately, Raya’s son Dezmond (Seneca Valley High School Student) was able to flex his muscles along with Super Strong Treava, and they proceeded to push the car out of the snow up a hill and to a main road, while navigator Raya guided the car to smooth road…. Determined to finish the job they set out to do, they were able to complete two additional deliveries, pushing the car two additional times, turning the driving delivery into a pushing delivery. It was a true mission impossible that was interestingly yet successfully, pleasant.</span>Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-32935364776594702622010-03-11T10:24:00.002-05:002010-03-11T10:26:24.517-05:00Feinstein Foundation Will Contribute If YOU Do!The Feinstein Foundation will provide at least $250 and up to $40,000 in matching funds for money contributed to Germantown HELP between March 1 and April 30th. Spread the word!<br /><br /><a href="www.feinsteinfoundation.org"><span class="Normal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:130%;">www.feinsteinfoundation.org</span></span></a>Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-77675552725737956852010-03-11T10:22:00.002-05:002010-03-11T10:24:20.170-05:00Recent Food DonationsWe thank United Church of Christ, Seneca Valley; Fox Chapel Elementary School; St. Nick's Episcopal Church; Victory Christian Church; and Neelsville Presbyterian Church for their recent food drives! It's been very helpful, we've been very busy, especially for February and March, which are traditionally slower. Not this year!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-84123945117525141472010-02-19T09:49:00.006-05:002010-02-19T10:02:42.215-05:00Souper Bowls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ8N331UXawYAZbzfZyuJLUO6WbC8Q8Spx-pGeshoNQhrc4HG_UbB25aasJst0AUZ2uAOInSmOn_VHGXpUJAa7OFHBtXgOdUHJac-ARitqguNFkwJV5ZgVkxZK1caWWAxgCTAxD4X3j4/s1600-h/Great+Seneca+Creek+Souper+Bowl+2010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ8N331UXawYAZbzfZyuJLUO6WbC8Q8Spx-pGeshoNQhrc4HG_UbB25aasJst0AUZ2uAOInSmOn_VHGXpUJAa7OFHBtXgOdUHJac-ARitqguNFkwJV5ZgVkxZK1caWWAxgCTAxD4X3j4/s400/Great+Seneca+Creek+Souper+Bowl+2010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439969040070295378" border="0" /></a><br />We've been working on the Facebook page a lot, not many posts lately, but much has been happening... Although we were closed for over a week during the snowstorms, we seem to have caught up with requests (knock on wood). We picked up $1,000 of spaghetti sauce, cereal, tuna and size 4 diapers from the Bishop's Storehouse in Upper Marlboro this week, thanks to the efforts of Eileen Larson and the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (Seneca Stake).<br /><br />Bravo to both Great Seneca Creek Elementary School and Boyds Presbyterian Church for collecting food in their <a href="http://www.souperbowl.com/">Souper Bowl</a> events. Rev. Merritt Ednie stopped by the pantry yesterday to drop off a fine collection of much-needed items. At GSCES, students could vote for their favorite team by placing a soup in the appropriate bin - see the picture above for their progress chart. They collected 472 items (up from 333 last year). Great!!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-71570223259743953342010-01-27T15:09:00.004-05:002010-01-27T15:20:22.608-05:00Food Drives<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBeFym26GzHHAGVB76qFaRLle_rQDoSK_bwoPyoL7RjlLCvStIhs1D_EiUVv0Xr4-ZFwxhjM0hkk8vbQXMLsr6p4bcQ9BQG72YAN1xKPSkHGFHBzyBuaArLEIblKqwxghJMcCfNZJJmU/s1600-h/McNair+Food+Drive+2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBeFym26GzHHAGVB76qFaRLle_rQDoSK_bwoPyoL7RjlLCvStIhs1D_EiUVv0Xr4-ZFwxhjM0hkk8vbQXMLsr6p4bcQ9BQG72YAN1xKPSkHGFHBzyBuaArLEIblKqwxghJMcCfNZJJmU/s400/McNair+Food+Drive+2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431516928546330514" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to Messiah Lutheran Church, the Boys and Girls Club (Germantown) and Ronald McNair Elementary School (seen above) for collecting food for Germantown HELP! And thanks to Sarah Burkholder, Judy Brodbeck and Toni Woods for bringing it in...<br /><br />We will be moving some of our food storage to a trailer at Greenridge Baptist church next week; we had hoped to move the food in our storage unit (aka, "The Auxiliary Food Storage Facility") before the end of January, but between the weather, end-of-the-year stuff, the CFC application and student exams (we rely on student power for the big moves!), it took longer than we thought. We hope to move food over next week and start sorting it.<br /><br />Our first delivery to our HOC partner went very well yesterday, thanks to Yuen Lee, who stepped in at the last minute to help. 17 households signed up for a delivery to their community center yesterday at 5:00pm - we pulled in at 4:58 - couldn't have done it without you, Yuen! Fortunately, the kids in the after-school homework program ran out to help us carry it all in, great kids!! 17 households was pretty good, considering it was the first time we tried it and our maximum is 20. We will be sorting food and delivering it there the fourth Tuesday of every month.Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-49376479668954299722010-01-04T16:46:00.003-05:002010-01-04T16:50:44.169-05:00Box Monster!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNx_SdFXfxS7ko8X_8F6PCONpW7UzQJEevGRtiALp6O4aO_WmcSdRYyONDR6VDAgPs1z2FLGg14rrnCWKk45mpMU7Emrf3fSbb-QlcaIjO6H3OI9ZXHDGSUwzHKuL9mlaj5p0_a5DjOmo/s1600-h/Mouth+in+the+box.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNx_SdFXfxS7ko8X_8F6PCONpW7UzQJEevGRtiALp6O4aO_WmcSdRYyONDR6VDAgPs1z2FLGg14rrnCWKk45mpMU7Emrf3fSbb-QlcaIjO6H3OI9ZXHDGSUwzHKuL9mlaj5p0_a5DjOmo/s400/Mouth+in+the+box.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423004790608207058" border="0" /></a><br />We did almost 1,700 deliveries this year and served over 1,000 in the Holiday Giving Project. There are a LOT of loose ends to tie up in January; more details soon.<br /><br />While breaking down the cardboard boxes in the pantry this afternoon, I came across this picture in the bottom of one of the boxes; it must have been from a school food drive or youth group. It says "Feed me canned food (and maybe people)." Pictures on the outside depicted people running away from the box. Pretty funny!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-29569647172675865812009-12-22T23:35:00.002-05:002009-12-22T23:41:52.874-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiu_F0aG-oASV1VaKhZhXZHioS-9oyc-JUKnFD0evkZMDsDCBd0jjuwuPAG02lF5LS_0puUYZ2VGAe-WEcgL_93aI2-7g4CwbjpaCflkKBsZAEW0NATi2XF9bpetobklTONw1jPksZLM/s1600-h/Shivali+Seoni+collects+presents+at+her+birthday+party.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiu_F0aG-oASV1VaKhZhXZHioS-9oyc-JUKnFD0evkZMDsDCBd0jjuwuPAG02lF5LS_0puUYZ2VGAe-WEcgL_93aI2-7g4CwbjpaCflkKBsZAEW0NATi2XF9bpetobklTONw1jPksZLM/s400/Shivali+Seoni+collects+presents+at+her+birthday+party.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418287151451835842" border="0" /></a><br />Shivali Seoni had a birthday party last week! In lieu of presents for herself, she generously asked people to bring gifts for the Holiday Giving Project, which her mom Kim dropped off Monday, just in time to get sorted into the toy pickups. They were beautiful gifts and much-needed! Thank you for your generosity!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-18239173154663622712009-12-22T23:25:00.003-05:002009-12-22T23:29:01.787-05:00Maldens and Majanes Dig Out the Pantry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfh_MsiumDSU8wh_z2th3LQLrQhG7s0qNxBmX9UrOp8tv8I5Ww0ls0AOWO9HiQ7D94o8Z1dcNAaeC73TMVEYaGQX0sUJfl-1-v2hCZdPiIZFSfsLeBvkDImOYDXUkd8Gp2-9wVe1sN1w/s1600-h/Maldens+and+Majanes+shovel+out+the+pantry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfh_MsiumDSU8wh_z2th3LQLrQhG7s0qNxBmX9UrOp8tv8I5Ww0ls0AOWO9HiQ7D94o8Z1dcNAaeC73TMVEYaGQX0sUJfl-1-v2hCZdPiIZFSfsLeBvkDImOYDXUkd8Gp2-9wVe1sN1w/s400/Maldens+and+Majanes+shovel+out+the+pantry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418283764282725442" border="0" /></a><br />The snowplow kicked up some mounds of snow in the way of the Pantry driveway - not as much as in the amazing, 14-foot-tall ice mounds of several years ago, but enough to be in the way - and didn't plow our driveway. Christopher and Robert Malden (and their dad Michael's snowblower) came to help Kevin, Abby and Carolyn Majane shovel out the pantry this morning and pack some boxes, too. They knocked it out in an hour, but it was a tough hour! Hard workers and good neighbors... Thanks for your help!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-68226771104482858902009-12-20T16:29:00.004-05:002009-12-20T16:37:15.175-05:00Hughes Network Systems Reaches Out...We would like to thank many organizations and individuals who have stepped forward this holiday season to help with the Holiday Giving Project in Germantown. One of the biggest contributors this December has been Hughes Network Systems. Not only have they contributed hundreds of toys and hundreds of gift cards; they have delivered them and sorted them, too! We wish we had thought to take pictures of them and their piles of gifts as they scurried about, but we have been racing to beat the snow AND the clock. What a wonderful group, so generous with their time, as well as their donations!<br /><br />Thanks, Hughes!!<br /><br />Here's their really neat online holiday card:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.hughes.com/HUGHES/Doc/0/CT22IPOEBN74V86GJBB97U8H34/seasons_greetings_2009_121009.swf">http://www.hughes.com/HUGHES/Doc/0/CT22IPOEBN74V86GJBB97U8H34/seasons_greetings_2009_121009.swf</a>Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-35063437701135682842009-12-20T16:15:00.002-05:002009-12-20T16:19:36.547-05:00Julia Nonnenkamp Holds Art Mart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Zj3Smp8ezd5rZ5mTom_XJRoSVPmiWlioJqWzS10eTgXjQrom4dYr_6vBird16yNMP9rP2y-0ZKN7VTsHorsJfhVgnuc_eh97E1cZUC2xvZAT-psXa7gb772BqEmpTrBiiiXE4LjuSNw/s1600-h/Julia+Nonnenkamp+held+Art+Mart+to+raise+%2437.80+Dec+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Zj3Smp8ezd5rZ5mTom_XJRoSVPmiWlioJqWzS10eTgXjQrom4dYr_6vBird16yNMP9rP2y-0ZKN7VTsHorsJfhVgnuc_eh97E1cZUC2xvZAT-psXa7gb772BqEmpTrBiiiXE4LjuSNw/s400/Julia+Nonnenkamp+held+Art+Mart+to+raise+%2437.80+Dec+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417431088176475090" border="0" /></a><br />Ms. Julia Nonnenkamp, age seven, recently set up a holiday craft boutique and sold art to her relatives. She raised $37.80, which she presented to Germantown HELP when she and her mom, Karen Stohr, came by to help alphabetize bags and sort toys. Thanks, Julia! That was a very kind and creative idea!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-88350665227250766672009-12-20T16:03:00.003-05:002009-12-20T16:15:48.136-05:00The Toys Come Pouring In...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT19tVwTXUQnUC4MvgiXhJITZkTsNLYI8R7f5Km9Wv5UNRkjvmA311vTFJSTQuI6UOTKgWqj4EDIpYhehq7JgunuXXFVEyUKfQqv2AtUi6mMxuNQ51gbGKtInbaMFH4WRLzoq805dijfI/s1600-h/NWHS+students+bring+toys+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT19tVwTXUQnUC4MvgiXhJITZkTsNLYI8R7f5Km9Wv5UNRkjvmA311vTFJSTQuI6UOTKgWqj4EDIpYhehq7JgunuXXFVEyUKfQqv2AtUi6mMxuNQ51gbGKtInbaMFH4WRLzoq805dijfI/s400/NWHS+students+bring+toys+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417430016803465826" border="0" /></a><br />Toy donations are coming in from all corners of Germantown; we picked up 150 from William Gibbs Elementary School on Friday! Victory Christian Church is striving to collect 350, but 20+ inches of snow is real problem. Hopefully, some people will be able to drop them by the church Monday the 21st, so we can get them Tuesday, sort them immediately, and get them out the door. Tuesday is looking like a real bruiser of a day!<br /><br />The picture is of some wonderful Northwest High School students who collected money and went on a toy-buying extravaganza at Toys R Us! They brought their wonderful toys over on Wednesday...Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-14178573891937188592009-12-07T21:58:00.003-05:002009-12-07T22:00:32.754-05:00The Zarates Work Hard!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYgHwDP_XOLNEUcC8j5NO1H8EgKhtDE74SLS3tXarW2fzvREIiHQ5eiXhMNJubg-tGuiC18QDLSyBhChYY4PjbCcQWlifx9rq3gFGyYQWyvpYpc3Jx7vqGIYVrRnwTM6PKmYNXdOBEiw/s1600-h/Diego+%26+Carolina+done+Nov+09.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYgHwDP_XOLNEUcC8j5NO1H8EgKhtDE74SLS3tXarW2fzvREIiHQ5eiXhMNJubg-tGuiC18QDLSyBhChYY4PjbCcQWlifx9rq3gFGyYQWyvpYpc3Jx7vqGIYVrRnwTM6PKmYNXdOBEiw/s400/Diego+%26+Carolina+done+Nov+09.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412694645482568450" border="0" /></a><br />After Scouting for Food and a bunch of other food drives came in, the pantry was a MESS! Silvina, Carolina and Diego Zarate came in and spent SIX hours in the pantry, knocking it into shape! Not only did they go through tons of stuff and throw out the expired items, they went through the baby food cabinet, too! Thank you, Zarates!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-26186624888618121192009-12-06T16:06:00.002-05:002009-12-06T16:11:58.902-05:00William B. Gibbs Jr. Elementary Collects Food!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyk1F9ZOZdE70QHWp0p6v55u6KfzkqSIJ1koEs8UWkiYDPyqRKEcRvhicoUpDVAm2pqjsR4gFDi2s014zH3889XBIXu3ZAmY-ez1vAvPigGs_KDpfKv9OaevaHPGkhrvabBCbxJQwUOQ/s1600-h/Ching+Ingalla+and+kids+%282%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyk1F9ZOZdE70QHWp0p6v55u6KfzkqSIJ1koEs8UWkiYDPyqRKEcRvhicoUpDVAm2pqjsR4gFDi2s014zH3889XBIXu3ZAmY-ez1vAvPigGs_KDpfKv9OaevaHPGkhrvabBCbxJQwUOQ/s400/Ching+Ingalla+and+kids+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412233840368511554" border="0" /></a><br />Last week, Judy Brodback and Cindy Majane picked up the Gibbs Elementary School food drive. It's a good thing Judy has a big truck, because they collected over 1800 items! It was hauled into the storage unit, where Ching Ingalla, her daughter and a couple friends sorted a bunch of it on Sunday. They packed some bags to bring to the Salvation Army, too, thanks very much!<br /><br />It's a little dim in the storage unit, but they have sharp eyes! Thanks for your help!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-82935240079038079922009-12-01T16:52:00.001-05:002009-12-01T16:54:16.524-05:00Kids Town Wins!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpKu2Oggf5VwpJ8NZKh7BApP8JylH27TbHYHp5uqLl3x5r0EE2LE5CPnSVbD9hubiPVUDKerpb24FsYRYlqa_AbbZVijb83MV3Ap_Of1awUqMAmkuRIfx6CXift1mGzCPNYfnQrNK3Ms/s1600/Kids+Town+Food+Collection+Box.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpKu2Oggf5VwpJ8NZKh7BApP8JylH27TbHYHp5uqLl3x5r0EE2LE5CPnSVbD9hubiPVUDKerpb24FsYRYlqa_AbbZVijb83MV3Ap_Of1awUqMAmkuRIfx6CXift1mGzCPNYfnQrNK3Ms/s400/Kids+Town+Food+Collection+Box.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410389299114284098" border="0" /></a><br />And the winner of the most creatively-decorated food collection box of 2009 is... Kids Town! It got a little squashed on the trip to the pantry, but still worthy of the prize!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-79626463122211940282009-12-01T16:51:00.003-05:002009-12-01T16:52:24.830-05:00Clarksburg High School Honors Spanish Club<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFEF6ZAuvwnvnHlcbi-3exFKnIk_iYxmJli67iL9gvOLg5DiRVsdQXpoQB0ywubxrXIJ72T76IUe0gSbOT-2-NB7FlveIj6RgHM2Lan_H2aWMfMfuP_eFBNDDf6ZtLG6Gwa-2SdMTKUU/s1600/Clarksburg+HS+Honors+Spanish+Club+Food+Drive.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFEF6ZAuvwnvnHlcbi-3exFKnIk_iYxmJli67iL9gvOLg5DiRVsdQXpoQB0ywubxrXIJ72T76IUe0gSbOT-2-NB7FlveIj6RgHM2Lan_H2aWMfMfuP_eFBNDDf6ZtLG6Gwa-2SdMTKUU/s400/Clarksburg+HS+Honors+Spanish+Club+Food+Drive.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410388919823689410" border="0" /></a><br />What nice kids! And they are lucky to have Marisol Maldonado as their teacher, too...Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-42415358336674689242009-12-01T16:33:00.004-05:002009-12-01T16:50:57.889-05:00The Food Comes Pouring In...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqDEoEwNTEkCFlswIQX-PjRcAcPrZEqrgUTG-0HdsLFCz0YUxtU8QqNTwA-HO636u3qLVJ6xpQfROY76B4szbwNaKVbi-ufp13y_obnKMg7r7pktEPykCYTbOMBP4LPDN8ABnbOEi6So/s1600/Scouting+for+Food+Nov+14+09+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqDEoEwNTEkCFlswIQX-PjRcAcPrZEqrgUTG-0HdsLFCz0YUxtU8QqNTwA-HO636u3qLVJ6xpQfROY76B4szbwNaKVbi-ufp13y_obnKMg7r7pktEPykCYTbOMBP4LPDN8ABnbOEi6So/s400/Scouting+for+Food+Nov+14+09+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410388165840527458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QJTtr0fiirRbHgh7qNbx5d25iSc6OQuizUE51yUBpA39Pfpdx0J1oji3uwZcETCvlsTmyb1OraCVEiXAcqAVTQmGHBbh9Gva_1L80mgKoyFBSQuNd35rT7gqakmOElrRjQhYRECQnlo/s1600/Scouting+for+Food+Nov+14+09+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QJTtr0fiirRbHgh7qNbx5d25iSc6OQuizUE51yUBpA39Pfpdx0J1oji3uwZcETCvlsTmyb1OraCVEiXAcqAVTQmGHBbh9Gva_1L80mgKoyFBSQuNd35rT7gqakmOElrRjQhYRECQnlo/s400/Scouting+for+Food+Nov+14+09+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410387989876177954" border="0" /></a><br />THANK YOU to Novovax, Neelsville Presbyterian Church, Kids Town, DRT, Clarksburg High School Honors Spanish Club, and the Boy Scouts of Matsunaga Elementary School! We have LOTS of food (although still low on peanut butter and cereal, it's always something!).<br /><br />Here are some pictures from the Boy Scouts, Scouting for Food on November 14!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-62871451462575835222009-12-01T16:26:00.003-05:002009-12-01T16:33:40.856-05:00810 Families for ThanksgivingWe had 810 households for Thanksgiving in the Holiday Giving Project this year! A lot of people called in to say their caseworker hadn't gotten them into the database before the cutoff, so I know the number will be much higher for December. Thanks very, very much to the school guidance counselors and caseworkers who helped with the distribution of over $16,000 worth of Giant cards! We couldn't have done it without your help! Also, thanks for the help of many volunteers and friends, who turned up the days before Thanksgiving to deliver gift cards and food. In the four days before Thanksgiving, we delivered 30 boxes of food and over 70 envelopes of gift cards! Wow!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-26391085121952033342009-10-30T09:39:00.003-04:002009-10-30T09:50:16.532-04:00MoCo Infants & Toddlers Program Helps!Mary Toohey, of the Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program in Germantown, very kindly dropped off a good collection of food collected at the office. Lots of nice things, a good variety! And just enough peanut butter to keep us from having to buy more this week...<br /><br />We did, however, purchase over $600 of canned veggies, tuna and cereal yesterday, to keep us going a couple more weeks. The Emergency Food Program has been REALLY busy this week; we're running a day behind on phone calls right now.Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-77090676453386917792009-10-22T10:25:00.002-04:002009-10-22T10:31:19.204-04:00The Flu Hits GermantownIt seems like almost half our Emergency Food clients have the flu! We're delivering to a lot of people unable to get out because of illness lately... Some are "regular" clients, others are new and desperate for help. We're hearing tales of entire neighborhoods coming down with the flu at the same time! Of course, people are unable to work when they're ill, so it's even harder to make ends meet.<br /><br />Germantown HELP is looking into purchasing fresh oranges and apples to (at least temporarily) deliver with our usual food, to help bolster everyone's immune systems. We're also looking for some caring people interested in helping on a "Special Care" committee to check up on our most disabled, homebound clients from time to time.Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-633597332521661237.post-49575102418136015212009-10-22T10:21:00.002-04:002009-10-22T10:24:55.611-04:00The Fendrick Family Donates Half a Steer!The Fendrick Family purchased a 4-H steer and donated half of it to Germantown HELP! After being expertly processed and sealed into sturdy vacuum bags by Mt. Airy Locker, it now fills our freezers with beautiful roasts, steaks, stew meat and 168 pounds of ground beef in one-pound tubes. What a huge treat for our clients to have such premium meat! You don't find marbling like that on meat at the supermarket, goodness. Thank you very much, Fendricks!Germantown HELPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02823830806715543034noreply@blogger.com0