My, how times flies . . .

Can you believe seven months have passed since our Pantry opened its doors? (I apologize for not keeping you more up to date these past few months, it just seems time flies by before I know it.  And we have been so busy!)

We have watched the babies we serve grow and it has been wonderful.   We have learned a lot and have lots of other odds and ends to tell you: 

• Our families do not come to us every month.   Some months are better for them than others.  This allows us to stretch our finances just that much farther.  Of the 15 children we served the first night our pantry was open only five came to see us this month.  However, we now have 40 children on our roles.  Six of them came to see us for the first time just this month. 
• Those that come only take what they truly need.  So if anyone was concerned about the Pantry being taken advantage of. . . I think it's safe to say that's not happening.  If they only need diapers and wipes one month, that's all they take.  Diapers and wipes.  Since formula is our single largest expenditure, we breathe a little sigh of relief.  :o )
• We have been able to supply our families with a limited amount of gently used baby clothes, which they, in turn, bring back to us when their baby has outgrown them!  We are in need of clothes for little boys, though.  For some reason we have had very few pieces of clothing for little boys to distribute.  We have a good supply of Newborn - 9 months of clothing for little girls, sizes 12 months and up are a bit sparse for both boys and girls, but especially for boys!  Think of A Small Hand when you're out at the Yard Sales Saturday mornings.   
• We are a community of very caring people.  You have dropped off goodies for us at J & B's Country Store in Broadway, you have held showers for us at your church or organization, you have sent us random checks in the mail with notes of encouragement.  Each one of these gestures does not go unappreciated! 
• A Small Hand (@ Edinburg Christian Church) has allowed us to partner with them to make bulk purchases of diapers, which has saved us huge amounts of money!
• Unfortunately, baby food has jumped more than 13% in a month.  What we bought for 44 cents in November, we're now buying for 50 cents.  It doesn't sound like a lot of money until you start doing the math. 
• Our volunteers!  Where would we be without our volunteers?  We have a dependable force of "regular" volunteers.  This month we had three lovely women join us from BB &T, they were a delight to have with us and dug right in.  (Given this is the time of year some of our regulars need to sneak in a little time away for one reason or another. . .they were a welcome sight.)  Just this past Pantry we had two Moms express a desire to volunteer to help out on a Pantry night or when we're packing diapers.  We are very blessed.   
• Through BB&T's "Lighthouse Project" we were recently gifted a $1000 of infant formula and this week they're hosting a "shower" for us.  We are so pleased they selected us to be one of their projects!   They have volunteers that will be joining us to package diapers next month, too.  When you go into BB&T, feel free to thank them for their support of our community. 
• We are planning another Fund Raising BINGO this fall, so be on the look out for that upcoming announcement.  Not sure where or when, but we know Debbie Miller is hard at work conjuring up a night of fun and fellowship for a good cause for all of us! 

We realize in the grand scheme of things our little community mission is very small.  But when we see those babies every month, we realize our efforts (and yours) are appreciated and helpful.  We thank you for your continued generosity and for coming along with us on our journey, we knew we couldn't do it alone.  (But then again, we never really are alone, are we?)

Bev

PS  I'll promise to try to do better at keeping in touch in the coming weeks and months. 

Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' "