September 2020 Newsletter
On Our Hearts
Significant Progress Made at Hearts Harvest Food Pantry
and Cafe’s Construction Project
To read about all of the expansion going on at Hearts
Do you have people in your life that don’t know about Hearts? Or maybe they donate clothing in one of our red donation bins, but don’t realize the extent of Hearts’ ministry and outreach. As a supporter and stakeholder, we need your help! Please share about Hearts and our work that is happening in the community related to food security and the homeless population.
You can easily do that by sharing this month’s newsletter or, by forwarding our email or link to our website to people you know. We are actively working to share all about Hearts, to more people than ever before, and would appreciate your help!
Many Thanks Nor, Your Hands Have Served a Multitude!
After 16 years of service as cook in Hearts kitchen, we wish Eleanor (Nor) Privitera a very Happy & Blessed Retirement! Throughout her tenure, Nor has cooked for 832 weeks-worth of meals, equaling 4,160 days of outreach for a total number of 1,560,000+ homeless and poor individuals. We know she will be enjoying her family and grandchildren a lot more and dedicating some time to those things she loves to do. May God bless her and guide her on this new path.
Job Opening
As Nor moves onto her new season in life, Hearts has created an exciting new position combining the responsibility of cooking with an active role and partnership with Hearts outreach team. If you are interested learning more about this new position, Outreach Assistant/Cook, or know of anyone who may be interested, click the following link:
Lives Touched Last Month
Total Clients Served: 1,614
Homeless: 1,261
Male: 1,426
Female: 175
Seniors: 13
Children: 24
Meal Bags for Buffalo Dream Center Outreach: 400
Total Volunteer Hours: 165
Talk from the Street and Heart
God always provides for each one of our needs, even for tasty snacks!
During COVID, our resource for snacks was not able to transport cookies, nor was the manufacturer able to donate them. But, because of the hearts and hands of donors, the provision continues. Shout outs to Sandy and group at St. Francis Church for bringing in bagged up snacks and cookies the last 2 months in numbers of 800s; and to Stevie at Harris Hill UMC who tirelessly bakes large numbers of goodies for those who stand in line to eat. What wonderful treats you are giving them during a trying time in our nation. You are truly the hands and feet of Jesus.
A late August rain storm gave the opportunity to our Thursday Mobile Crew to reach out to the 35 hungry people that came out in the rain to receive a meal. In addition to their regular meal, they were thrilled to receive an umbrella, survival blanket, water, socks, and even their very own large bag of candy to sweeten the evening regardless of the rain!
Thank you to all that donate tangible items for the homeless and poor. All of our Mobile Crew Teams love it when the bus is packed with giveaways (as well, do the clients). A special thank you to our North Tonawanda couple who have been donating socks, soap, and razors on a weekly basis for a countless number of years.
Wednesday’s Mobile Crew served a couple and their son who were so happy to find Hearts. Sadly, they recently became homeless; the crew was able to share resource info with them and give them clothing and other items.
Hearts Harvest Food Pantry
Our pantry staff and volunteers welcome those in the community who need the help from a food pantry to feed their families, Monday 12 to 4; and Fridays 10 to 2 at Hearts at 890 Tonawanda St. Riverside.
| Households | Infants | Toddlers | Children | Adults | Seniors | Individuals |
| 721 | 53 | 94 | 555 | 1,229 | 51 | 1,982 |
Hearts has a Mobile Food Pantry every 1st Friday of the month (including fall and winter) behind the DePaul Apartments at 238 Ontario St., Riverside. The community can come as often as we have them as a supplement to our Hearts Harvest onsite food pantry. It’s a special time for them and the fresh produce, dairy, and other quality food is a blessing for them. They leave happy and appreciative.
| Households | Infants | Toddlers | Children | Adults | Seniors | Individuals |
| 80 | 3 | 17 | 35 | 132 | 8 | 195 |
Thrift Shop News
A change in temperatures means a change in clothing in stock at Hearts Thrift Shop. Rich colors and warmer fabrics and we are still promising you great deals. Remember, when you shop here, you are supporting our outreach to the homeless, poor and local community.
Hearts Thrift Shop continues to reach those in need:
♥ Last month we served 6 people in need of clothing, household items, shoes, and toiletries. It has been such a blessing to see the thankfulness and joy on their faces in their time of need.
♥ We’ve had numerous opportunities to pray with people coming into the thrift shop. They leave with a little bit more peace than when they came in and full of gratitude that someone cared to pray with them.
♥ “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love”
– Galatians 5:13
Clothing Donations
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