Isaiah G. Cooper

Happy Spring and Happy Easter!  

The Spring season is the time of year when we open the windows and let the fresh air fill our homes after the long winter months.  We hope that the same way you open your windows to let in the fresh air you will open up your hearts and continue to support us in anyway you can.

This month we would like to share a little story with you. Recently we received a $10.00 donation for our building fund.  You might be thinking so what is the big deal, it’s only $10.00?  Well, this donation was very special to us since it came from the grandson of one of our volunteers.  This young man, who is 10 years old, could have used this money to buy something for himself but he opted to donate the money instead to our building fund. Nobody forced him to do this – he did it on his own.  We know that his family is very proud of what he did and needless to say we were very appreciative of this young man’s donation.  Why are we mentioning this?  Well, we would like you to talk to your children, grandchildren, etc. and explain what the Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry does for those that are less fortunate.  Children are very creative so suggest that they think of ways that they and their friends can help the pantry.  We have had parents/grandparents come with children during our hours of operation to drop off a food and/or monetary donation and ask if we can explain what we do and show the children our operation.  Our volunteers are more than happy to do this.  Of course like most children they are shy and do not ask questions, etc. but this does not mean they are not absorbing what is being said or what they see.  Children are the future, so let us take the time now to instill a sense of caring so that they might carryout the dreams of tomorrow. 

Our latest status:

1. The KMFP Registrar and I attended the Roundtable Meeting in March held at the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean County in Neptune where the main topic discussed was the Food Stamp Program.  Guest speakers: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, MidAtlantic Region Community Relations Liaison Representative and Monmouth County Food Stamp Coordinator Representative.  In addition to the Food Stamp Program other programs were discussed that might be of benefit to our clientele.  We were able to express our concerns on the Food Stamp Program as presented to us by our clients, and these were addressed by the representatives.  The meeting proved to be very informative and provided us with additional information which we can now pass on to our clients.  A reporter from the Courier Newspaper was also present. His editorial on this meeting can be found in the March 30th, 2006 issue of the Courier.
2. We want to acknowledge and thank the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties for their article on our pantry in their Winter 2006 Newsletter. (... puts the spotlight on KMFP).
3. Our sponsor list continues to grow! Our thanks to Walmart and Wegman’s both stores located in Ocean County for their recent donation and their ongoing support.
4. We continue to work with the Township of Keyport for the land we require for our permanent location.
5. We continue with the submission of grant applications.
6. We continue to receive donations toward our new building campaign.

If you have any questions, comments, etc. please feel free to contact us via email or call us.  The KMFP Staff and Volunteers are eternally grateful for your friendship and support.

Isaiah G. Cooper
Executive Director
Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry, Inc.