Dear Friends of Food Link:
First, thank you for your interest and support that means so much to our success. We find ourselves needing to ask for your help to keep up with the unrelenting need. As you know the current economic climate doesn't bode well for many who were teetering on the edge and are now unable to provide basic essentials for themselves and their families. More of our neighbors than ever before are asking for help. You may not even realize that someone you work with, are involved in a community endeavor with, socialize with, is struggling. Food Link has been committed to helping since 1991 by distributing over 22 million pounds of food and other essentials in that time. Whether it's through our retail food rescue or wholesale produce distribution programs, the emergency baby pantry or the caring umbrella programs, over 11,000 families per month are finding it necessary to seek assistance through a component of our program. Sadly, those numbers are growing.
When you support Food Link, you play a part in our ability to deliver groceries, baby items and other life-sustaining essentials to those most in need. Last year that figure exceeded over 1 million pounds of food alone. Your help ensured that over 90 recipient agencies received food and other products. While we are proud of this, we cannot be satisfied when there are still mouths to feed and empty stomachs to fill. The services we provide offer nourishment, comfort and hope to children, senior citizens, working individuals and families, the homeless and those living on medical disability.
Breaking the cycle of poverty or extending the desperately needed helping hand can be daunting, but together we can garner the collective synergy to touch lives in a meaningful way. Finding new avenues to acquire food is increasingly important, especially with the growing number of people in need. Relationships with food retailers and distributors are vital to sustaining services in times of an economic downturn. Do you know if your preferred grocery store donates their surplus to Food Link? It is a question worth asking.
We have accomplished much but there is more to do. As a grassroots community based nonprofit, community support is our lifeblood. Individual investments, support from foundations, civic groups, corporations, small business, etc. are essential to ensuring the integrity and sustainability of our programs. Every dollar received can be leveraged into bags of food or baby supplies. Please take a moment and donate on-line today. Your money and time are never wasted and not a penny is forgotten. Another option is to take advantage of the current gold prices and sell your jewelry to our friends at Jewelers of Distinction at the Riva Festival shopping center. The owners are generously donating a portion of their profit to us to help in these difficult times. On behalf of the nameless, faceless children and adults who need help, thank you for your continued support and wanting to make a difference.
Warmest regards,
Cathy L. Holstrom
Executive Director
Established in 1991, Food Link, Inc. is the largest hunger relief and food rescue
organization in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. From children to the working
poor, we support a wide range of people by providing immediate food assistance
and other essentials in times of need.
We offer support through direct services and a network of over 90 charitable
organizations in our county. Food Link, Inc. remains an independent, grassroots
charity nationally recognized for its availity to provide valuable services for minimal
administrative overhead. Donated goods and services are the core of our program.
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