To stay current on all the activities and ministries of Feeding Families, visit our new website and we are on Facebook too!
www.feedingfamiliesministry.org
Spring/Summer 2014 Three dedicated volunteers unloading donations from a food truck this winter.
Executive Director Diane McFadzean (right)
Assistant Executive Director Cira Palmera
From our Founder & Director… Is volunteering and servant hood becoming extinct . . . As we are finally entering spring with much relief and anticipation, it has been a long and dreary winter for the Feeding Families volunteers. Our coat collection was very much needed this year as the winter proved to be much too cold for those who didn’t have coats, hats or gloves. We gave out many nice, gently used coats. While you clean out your winter coat closets this spring and make plans to give away unused coats, please remember for next winter that there is a great need by our community for warm coats. What you would normally cast away, please remember we are already collecting coats and winter gear for next fall’s giveaway to those in need.
Winter proved to be very tough for our volunteers as well. We do not have the funds to keep our building heated 24/7 so we could only heat it the day before or the day of an outreach. Often our freezers were warmer than our building. On most days, triple socks and long underwear were needed with many layers to the point where you couldn’t move or walk. There were no shoes or hunters gear that held out the cold for me. As the temperatures dropped, so did our volunteers.
Families don’t stop needing to eat because it is 2 degrees, but our trucks still had to be unloaded in this cold weather. One particular day after one of the many larger storms, all but 3 of the women bailed on us, and we unloaded the truck ourselves. It really broke my heart and I was very dismayed. Me with extruded disks in my neck and a pregnant volunteer who we did not allow to lift, and two other girls and an older man. Please remember people don’t stop eating when it’s cold. Can you volunteer 4 hours a month, two at the beginning and two at the end? We have outreaches every single Thursday and Friday and the food doesn’t show up on the shelves by itself – please consider giving your time to those in need. Funds are badly needed to replenish our propane gas and to add another heater. We don’t have fans for the summer. Can you become a monthly donor?
There is always something going on. We need help with fundraising and reaching out to churches to partner with us. We give a special thanks to Skytop Lodge, Kays Restaurant, Plateau Camp, Arrowhead Lakes Community Association, South Canaan Free Methodist Church, The Golden Heirs Club, and LIFE Church – Poconos. They have not forgotten us and we are so grateful for their serving hearts. Please consider getting involved and helping those in need.
Diane McFadzean,
Founder and Executive Director
“Taking your gifts to those in need.” Feeding Families Ministry, Inc. – A Christian Ministry
Receiving the check is Founder Diane McFadzean with Meredith Mecca, Leader, Pack 90
Feeding Families Wish List
Continued donations of Easter baskets and grass for our Easter outreach next year
Restaurants, retailers, wholesalers and processors –
what can you donate?*
Bread
Cereal
Pasta
Snacks
Meat
Soups & Sauces
Produce
Desserts
Prepared Meals
Frozen Foods
Refrigerated Foods
Beverages
Dairy
*Perishable items must not be expired and must last at least 3 days post-collection to allow for delivery.
The Happy Smiles Birthday Club Feeding Families recently added a new ministry to their outreach programs. The Happy Smiles Birthday Club reaches out to the children of families we minister to with a special birthday club. Children who sign up for the birthday club receive a gift bag that contains the fixings for a birthday cake, a coloring book and crayons, and a membership certificate that reminds them how special they are to God!
Local Boy Scouts have a bake off!! Boy Scout Pack 90, which is sponsored by the local Rotary of the Poconos, held a bake-off April 16th. The boys made wonderful baked creations and they were judged. When the judging was over there was a silent auction to bid on their delicious creations! Over $150.00 was raised for this event and a vote was taken to donate the money to Feeding Families Ministry. Troop leaders are Mark and Meredith Mecca from Pocono Pines. Feeding Families thanks Pack 90 for their generous donation!
Hunger Fact:
Food insecurity exists in every county in America. In 2011, 17.9 million households were food insecure. Source: www.dosomething.org
The Golden Heirs Club Members
Minister with Hearts of Gold We would like to thank Pastor Tim, Ed and the members of the Golden Heirs Club of the Pocono Mountain Bible Fellowship Church. They are a faithful partner with Feeding Families Ministry and we are grateful for their generosity and servants’ hearts!
Pastor Tim rarely misses a Second Harvest delivery where he helps unload our donations of anywhere from two thousand to six thousand pounds. The group has donated family Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets lovingly packed with many goodies. Club members also organized and collected treats for Easter baskets for the children that Feeding Families ministers to.
This church is a lesson in Christian love. Pastor Tim and Ed and their group haven’t forgotten us and we are so grateful for their generosity and continued partnership as we reach out to help feed families in our community.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 Eagle Scout Project for Feeding Families
Takes Flight Steven Daurio of Troop 89 has been approved to begin his Eagle Scout project with Feeding Families. The project consists of six 7-foot long shelving units to house food, insulating the floor to prevent heat loss, and building a built-in double coat rack for the coat drives. Over the next couple of weeks, after the fundraising has been approved, a bowling fundraiser at Summit Bowling and a chocolate drive with Gertrude Hawk will begin. Any donations are appreciated and should be addressed to Troop 89 with reference to Steven Daurio’s Eagle project Feeding Families. The Helping Hands Café of South Canaan Free Methodist Church
Extends a Helping Hand to Feeding Families Ministry! The Helping Hands Café at the South Canaan Free Methodist Church was abuzz with
excitement one Sunday afternoon this winter. The youth hosted a soup and salad
luncheon to raise money for the Feeding Families Ministry outreach programs.
The energetic young ladies and gentlemen tirelessly worked to prepare for this
fundraiser and all participants enjoyed a delicious and entertaining afternoon.
The youth members also organized the entertainment for the luncheon which
featured an open mic entertainment time with music and a talented juggler!
The Feeding Families Ministry would like to thank the youth of the Helping Hands Café,
and the members and friends of the South Canaan Free Methodist Church, for their donation of $312.40 from this fundraising luncheon. This generous donation will be used for the Easter Outreach to our community.
From the photos below of the luncheon, the joy of both the guests and workers of this exciting day is evident as the love of Christ shown through their hearts and actions. Feeding Families is honored that the South Canaan Free Methodist Church is an ongoing partner in our ministry!
Proverbs 22:9 “Happy is the generous man, the one who feeds the poor.”
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and
sisters of mine, you did for me!” – Matthew 25:40
And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Luke 3:10-11
Hunger Fact:
14.5 percent of U.S. households struggle to put enough food on the table. More than 48 million Americans—including 15.9 million children—live in these households.
Source: www.bread.org
Tricky Tray Fundraiser
Gather your friends, family and co-workers to help with this exciting fundraising event! Brainstorm a fun basket theme and create a festive masterpiece to donate to the Feeding Families Tricky Tray event. Donation cards from your organization, club or business with the basket theme will be placed in front of each basket. If you don’t want your name listed, you may donate the basket to honor a loved one’s memory. The proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the continued programs, emergency outreach and holiday outreach programs of Feeding Families Ministry. This event is planned for August so check the website for updated details! Call 570/977-3702 to arrange for pick up!
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35
As everyone is thinking thoughts of summer, FF is already preparing for next year’s harsh winter. If you have a talent for crocheting or knitting, we are collecting hats and scarves - your skills can keep someone warm next winter! And as you spring clean those winter coat closets, we are collecting gently used hats, gloves and coats for the coat giveaway before next winter!
Spring Planting Time …. For those who can’t afford to purchase food, fresh fruits and vegetables are luxuries, but they are so necessary to maintaining the good health for the families we minister to. Would you consider planting an extra row of veggies in your garden this summer, or donating some apples from your fruit trees to benefit those who depend on the help of Feeding Families ministry? If you sell fresh fruits and vegetables from your farm, could you consider offering your produce at a discount?
Planting
Seeds of
Generosity “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”– Matthew 25:35 Feeding Families Ministry, Inc.
PO Box 584, Newfoundland PA 18445 570.977.3702 feedingfamilies@verizon.net“Taking your gifts to those in need.”
Kays Pizza, Lake Ariel
Pocono Plateau Camp, Cresco
Smokin’ Vittles, Mt Pocono
Shoprite, Mt Pocono
LIFE Church, Pocono Pines
Jack and Cira Palmera
Mike Donaghy, Donaghy Insurance Service
Kristin, Arrowhead Lakes Community Association
Crista, Sky Top Lodge
Chris, The UPS store
Lillian, Pepperidge Farm
Our Volunteers
Our Board Members
Our Staff Founder – God
Diane R. McFadzean, Co-Founder & Exec. Director
William E. McFadzean, President & Treasurer
Cira Palmera, Assistant Exec. Director
Jack Palmera, Board Member
Kathy Pianoforte, Board Member
Anthony Porter, Board Member
Nancy Quinn, NewsFFeed Editor and Webmaster
A box truck donation is needed for half a day once a month.
Can your business
allow us to borrow your box truck for food pickups for the needy? We have a fully
credentialed/current CDL driver who has offered his time.
We can cover the gas!
“For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God.” I Thessalonians 3:9
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 Our God has called us to offer our lives in service to each other. One example of loving service to others is the care and feeding of the working poor and hungry. This is the ministry which we intend to provide without judgment or qualifications to those in need. – Mission Statement Feeding Families Ministry, Inc. provides free food to needy individuals who do not qualify for welfare, have recently lost their jobs, are in need due to life emergencies (health or job related) or are underemployed – the working poor. We are a non-profit organization, founded and directed by Diane R. McFadzean. We are located at 110 View Court in Mount Pocono.
Our ministry strives to alleviate hunger in Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties… without judgment or conditions. Feeding Families is always happy to welcome donations including:
Your time – pick-ups, deliveries, scheduling donations/deliveries/volunteers, etc.
Storage materials including shelving, freezers, refrigerators, food storage bags and containers, delivery bags and boxes
Other essentials including hygiene items, pet food, clothing, etc.
Assistance with our Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas food and gift drives. If you know of a non-profit, church or volunteer group looking for a cause – send them our way!
