The good, the bad and the not so bad. . .

The good news is we have 56 little ones enrolled in our pantry program.  More good news, we have plenty of gently used clothing and will not be accepting anymore summer clothing until next spring, we simply do not have the storage.   For now, winter clothes are what will be needed, especially for little boys. 

We were recently showered with all kinds of goodies thanks to the thoughtfullness of Kelly Lineweaver's friends and family.  Kelly asked that her friends and family shower A Small Hand-Plains District in lieu of a baby shower for her little girl, Mya.  We sincerely thank her and her husband, family and friends for supporting our program, for sharing this happy time in their lives with us!  Our thanks and congratulations go to the Lineweaver Family.  So cool, with the arrival of Mya, they are now a FAMILY! 

The bad news is we are no longer able to purchase diapers by the pallet.  Goods360 hasn't had diapers available for bulk purchase for the past several months and has no idea if they'll have them available in the future.  This means we will have to purchase diapers retail.  Fortunately, we have some stealth shoppers, but our cost for diapers will now more than double.  Not the end of the world, it just means our funds won't carry us nearly as far.   But, just like last year, we're moving forward with faith, we know we have the community's support and we'll manage.

Speaking of community support, please mark your calendar for Saturday, September 22nd.  We will be holding our second annual Longaberger Basket Bingo @ the Auction House in Broadway.  Debbie Miller has been working hard to organize this event.   I don't know if you remember, but last year's bingo provided us with the money we needed to open our pantry doors.  This year's event will help us to keep those doors open.

Given the fact that we're not going to be able to purchase diapers by the pallet anymore and that baby food costs have increased in excess of 10% we're going to have to rely even more on the generosity of others.

During the past year, we have been blessed with a helping hand from many of you, whether from your church, your Girl Scout Troop, FCCLA at J. Frank Hillyard Middle School and from so many individuals that sent us a check every now and again.  We could not have served these children without your help.  Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!

The not so bad news is this is what YOU've helped us do over the past ten months:
217 infants/toddlers served
147 cans of formula was distributed
1606 jars of baby food was distributed
44 boxes of baby cereal was distributed
8,568 diapers were distributed
217 packages of wipes were distributed

On November 15th we will celebrate the start of our second year.  Not that there will be any momentous ceremony or a cake, but, we will rejoice in the fact that we were able to serve these children.  Children right here in our own back yard.  Children we've watch grow from month to month.  Of course, some of the children we no longer see, and we're really happy about that - their families no longer need us, YAY!  That's exactly what we wanted.  Just to help them out when they needed us most.

Thanks for giving us A Small Hand. . .

Bev