| Dear Friends and Family, I hope this autumn finds you enjoying pumpkin patches, apple orchards and the warmth of hot cocoa with your families and friends. Like many of you, I’ve been able to continue these fall traditions with my children and hope to for many years to come. It’s often during these enjoyable moments that I find myself thinking of the children who aren’t able to have the same experiences as my Meghan, Clinton and Anna. Those children whose parents are struggling not just to make ends meet to but to clothe and feed their children on a daily basis. As you may or may not know, I work for an organization called Loaves & Fishes. Loaves & Fishes is an on-site, hot meals program that serves 1,500 individuals each weeknight at 8 locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area (in MN). The core value of Loaves & Fishes is “everyone is entitled to meal with dignity.” We serve anyone who is hungry, no questions asked. In September alone, the number of guests dining at Loaves & Fishes increased by 19%. As our numbers rise, our donations decrease causing Loaves & Fishes to think about cuts—wage cuts for our staff (many who come from our guest population), emergency food cuts, and possibly dining site cuts. At a time when the need is the greatest, the thought of closing a site that serves between 150 and 300 individuals each weeknight is not only heartbreaking, it’s earth-shattering. This fall Loaves & Fishes is promoting a Sponsor-A-Family campaign to help us continue to serve those who are hungry in our community. According to Hunger Solutions MN, there are 200,000 people in the Twin Cities alone that do not have enough access to food on a daily basis. Through the Sponsor-A-Family program, your $10 donation will provide a family of four—a hot, nutritious meal in a safe environment in addition to other resources crucial to both survival and self-sufficiency. Enclosed, please find a donation envelope and brochure describing the Sponsor-A-Family program. If you would like more information you can visit our website at www.loavesandfishesmn.org or call me (763.227.5585). I greatly appreciate your support of this much needed program and more importantly, you’re support of families just like mine. Warmly, |
