Thousands of local people receive assistance from the Marshall County Neighborhood Center. Today during their “Day of Giving” you can take action to help them continue providing beneficial resources and programs.
They will be hosting a lunch from noon until 1:30 p.m. at the Center. For a donation of $5 community members can enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and a drink.
Representatives will be available at the Neighborhood Center all day to help people become donors. Individuals can make a one-time contribution or become a monthly donor.
So far, the Center has been able to raise 50 percent of their fundraising goal for this year. Officials are hoping the Day of Giving will help them get even closer to securing the amount of money it takes to support Marshall County families all year round.
Neighborhood Center reps recently shared a number of ways that donor dollars can help.
Clients in need of nutritional assistance are able to get it through the Center’s food pantry. In January alone, the pantry served more than 1,260 homes, which is just shy of about 5,000 individuals.
While representatives mentioned that they do receive a large amount of food donations, they say they still purchase several items each month.
About $2,000 is spent on a monthly basis to buy healthy and sustaining items. Officials mentioned that their hope is by adding their rescue food options to the baskets, clients will leave the pantry with enough food to last their family for 7-10 days.
Another way the Neighborhood Center assists local people in need is with their “Closet”. In addition to stocking it with clothes for kids and adults, “The Closet” has dishes, linens, bedding, household décor, small appliances and other miscellaneous items that a family may need.
Earlier this year, the MCNC began hosting monthly workshops to provide opportunities to teach important skills and create community partnerships.
They’ve been able to offer a variety of different workshops including crock-pot cooking, container gardening and an outdoor family play day.
Reps noted that they’re interested in exploring budgeting, meal planning, self-esteem, gift-making and other topics with future workshops.
One of the other ways they provide assistance is through Project Hand Up. According to information shared on their social media page, it is a 1:1 short-term mentorship program to help people rise up out of circumstances they aren’t thriving in.
They also offer an Energy Assistance Program to help families keep their lights on and heat their homes during the colder months. They work with each client to ensure that they know how to cover the next month.
Organization representatives shared that in addition to bringing in more resources and keeping their programs running, donations help them pay their own bills and maintain their building.
They added that when people provide a monthly contribution, it allows them to plan ahead and make better use of their resources.
You can learn more about what the Marshall County Neighborhood Center does for the community and find out how to help by visiting the 2019 Day of Giving event page.
The Center is located at 402 W. Garro Street in Plymouth. If you have any questions, give them a call at 574-936-3388.
