In February, the Greater Princeton & Far Beyond Branch of AYLUS (GPA) collected personal care products with Feeding Hands (https://www.feedinghandspantry.org, 186 Route 206, Hillsborough, NJ 08844) for low-income families.
About Feeding Hands:
Our Mission
Feeding Hands exists to live out God’s commandment to care for the poor by loving and serving our neighbors in need.
Our Strategy
We will build an organization of excellence, modeling how to develop pantry programs to mpact both those in need and those who serve them. Service to those who are struggling, when done right, changes the lives of those in need, builds the discipleship walk of those who serve, and glorifies their creator. We will engage the community, especially Christians and their churches, helping them to understand how to utilize their gifts to create vibrant change both inside and outside their walls and hearts.
We opened a food pantry in Somerville designed to demonstrate caring at its best. In May 2014, we began operating out of donated space in a small 30 member church. Sixty percent of Emmanuel Church stepped up and volunteered to serve. As the church saw the impact of what was happening, they allowed use of all of their main floor space for pantry operations. Although we are open only a few hours each Tuesday, we grew very quickly and are serving over 220 families each month. We distribute almost 10,000 pounds of meat, produce and non-perishables each month to veterans, the working poor, persons with disabilities, seniors and the unemployed. Approximately 40% of our guests walk to our pantry as they do not have automobiles. Many use 75% or more of their income to live in boarding houses where there is not even a communal kitchen. And all this takes place in the county seat of one of the richest counties in America. And we are only reaching the tip of the iceberg.
We treat each guest as we would like to be treated, and the result is AMAZING…for the guests, the volunteers and the church who shared their space with us!
GPA members collected one or more of the following items: Cleaning Products (All-purpose cleaner, Dish soap), Personal Care (Shampoo, Hand Soap, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Body Wash, Baby Wipes, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper).
GPA Volunteers: Edith Zheng (2/5, 1 hr), Ruth Rui (2/5, 3 hrs), Zichen Ling (2/7, 2 hrs), Steven Li (2/10, 3 hrs), Amber Yu (2/10, 1 hr), Ryan Li (2/10, 2 hrs), Michael Zhao (2/10, 1 hr)
