Where?
Liberty Tax Service 1910 Virginia Ave., Collinsville, located in the Holiday Shopping Center
When?
Saturday, November 21, 20099:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
How?
Bring 5 of our requested food items & receive a certificate for FREE tax preparation!
What's Accepted?
All foods that are nutritious, child-friendly, and individually wrapped, including: - Breakfast Bars - Individual Cereal Boxes - Pop Tarts - Breakfast Cookies - Granola Bars - Ramen Noodles - Quick Lunches - Pop Top Meals - Microwavable Pasta - Juice Boxes/Pouches - Individually Packaged Chips, Pretzels, Crackers, & Cookies
Each donor contributing five or more items from our list will receive free tax preparation (up to $1,000 value!) in the upcoming tax season, thanks to Liberty Tax Service & American Cash Center. Raffles and giveaways will be provided throughout the event.
Jun 7, 2009
May 25, 2009
Food for Kids - Thank You
Thanks to the generosity of local donors becoming Backpack Buddies we have served over 8,000 bags of food to children participating in our Food for Kids program this year. To show their appreciation, participants of the program took the time to write, draw, and color cards of appreciation, featured here. Top donors of the program will receive their own card from a sponsored child. Cards are also featured at the Community Storehouse on display in the lobby.
"With your donations and time, we have been able to flourish in our first year, but we don't plan on this program being a one shot deal; therefore, we need your support throughout the summer months leading into next school year as we plan to be as successful as we have been this year. These children are our future leaders and this is a way to show them that people do care and it is possible to dream." - Peyton Gravely, Program Coordinator
To learn more about the Food for Kids program click here.
"Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive 2009
As a part of this year's annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, area residents left nonperishable food items by their mailboxes to be picked up by their mail carrier in a mass effort to benefit the needy. "We'd like to thank all the citizens of Martinsville and Henry County for their generosity and all the postal employees for their cooperation in making this event a huge success," said Nancy Nelson, Executive Director of Community Storehouse.
Thousands of pounds of food were collected through the drive. "Although that's a lot of food, it will only last a short time. The need in our community is great & continued support of our efforts is essential," Nelson added.
If you'd like to benefit the Community Storehouse through a drive or donation, visit http://www.communitystorehouseofmhc.org/ for more information, or call (276) 632-9002.
Wal-Mart awards $1,500 Grant
The Wal-Mart Foundation has awarded the Community Storehouse a grant in the amount of $1,500 to benefit the agency's Food for Kids program. The Foundation strives to provide opportunities that improve the lives of individuals in our community, including their customers and associates. We'd like to thank Wal-Mart for their continued, generous support!
Pictured above: Travis Adkins, Community Storehouse; Jean Scott, Wal-Mart
Apr 4, 2009
Memorial Hospital - Volunteers
Memorial Hospital of Martinsville & Henry County regularly donate their time & efforts to volunteering with the Community Storehouse. Their support of the community is an invaluable resource to the essential programs the Storehouse offers. Pictured above & below are volunteers from the Remote Business Office of Memorial Hospital, volunteering with the Food for Kids program; over 700 bags were filled & ready to go! Thank you!
Mar 25, 2009
Memorial Hospital - Community Challenge
Community Storehouse is proud to announce a 2009 partnership with Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. For the third year, the hospital is benefiting Community Storehouse efforts to fight hunger and poverty in our community. This year, the hospital is raising funds to benefit the agency's Food for Kids: School Backpack Program raising as much money as possible during March and April! "Memorial Hospital has been an invaluable resource for our agency; their community initiative and generosity has touched the lives of thousands of needy people here in our area," said Travis J. Adkins, Assistant Executive Director.
Memorial Hospital has also approved employee giving for the Community Storehouse, through which employees of the hospital can choose to have money deducted directly from their pay to support the agency for years to come. This partnership is the biggest in Community Storehouse history. The hospital board, administration, and department heads are due thanks for their cooperation, and a special thank you is due to Christy Stutts, OR Director for her initiative and coordination of the campaign.
What's the rush? Donations made to the Community Storehouse during March or April of this year will have Feinstein Challenge money added to it. Alan Shawn Feinstein, a national granter will divide $1 million among hunger fighting agencies nationwide to help raise funds for their cause; this year, the Community Storehouse is involved in that effort. The more money the agency receives, the more of the $1 million the agency will get!
Memorial Hospital has issued a challenge to all local businesses and health-based institutions to join in the fight against poverty and hunger with the Community Storehouse. There are enough resources in our community to further the mission of the agency, and the mission of the Food for Kids program - to ensure that no child has to go without the basic necessity of life, most take for granted ... nutritious food. The children don't have a choice, but we do! Join us!
Memorial Hospital is committed to the development of a culture of teamwork successfully integrating employees, physician, administration, and volunteers in a way that promotes both individual and collective accountability. The hospital is committed to being an integral part of the Martinsville-Henry County community and beyond.
Mar 23, 2009
Event with God's Pit Crew & Spirit FM
God's Pit Crew and Spirit FM teamed up with the Community Storehouse Saturday, as a part of the Neighbor to Neighbor campaign. Trucks and volunteers were setup outside of Sam's Club in Danville, VA to collect nonperishable goods to benefit Community Storehouse programs. As a part of this campaign, Storehouse staff took the opportunity to spread community awareness on the Food for Kids: School Backpack Program. Thank you to all who generously donated & to our partners in this event, God's Pit Crew & Spirit FM!
Mar 4, 2009
Workplace Giving Campaign
A workplace giving campaign is an annual employee giving charitable campaign, through which employees are given the chance to support their community through their workplace and businesses are then able to help make philanthropy a part of their corporate future and community outlook, at no cost.Participating in the Community Storehouse workplace giving campaign qualifies businesses for full partner advantages, free advertising, boosts employee morale, creates a closer working relationship among employees, and at no cost to the business can easily be implemented by the human resources agent the same as any other payroll deduction.
While workplace giving was designed to improve American charities' efficiencies, benefits exist for both the employee and the participating charity. For the employee, these programs offer the convenience of automatic payroll deductions without losting the tax benefits of charitable giving. For the charity, even a small pledge from a small number of employees makes an impact when it is multiplied by participating employee to employee, business to business.
Can you make a difference? YES you can!
Ask your employer to participate in the Community Storehouse Workplace Giving Campaign. Through our campaign, we seek area businesses to allow employees the choice to automatically deduct a donation of $2.00 per month (50 cents a week) to be earmarked for our essential emergency services.
Our goal through this campaign is to secure enough funding through employee giving to support our food purchasing needs (the bulk of our yearly budget) to feed the hungry in Martinsville and Henry County.
Our programs rely on the commitment and dedication of our supporters and volunteers, whose contribution of product, funds, equipment, and labor enable us to feed the hungry. Help us meet our ongoing needs - join our workplace giving campaign and make a huge difference in our community!
Thank you to our newest Workplace Giving Partner ...
For more information on how your place of business can get involved, contact Travis Adkins at 276.632.9002.
Feb 27, 2009
Feinstein $1 Million Challenge
Mr. Feinstein's Letter to YOU:
Alan Shawn Feinstein
37 Alhambra Circle
Cranston, RI 02905
Please use MY money to help your neighbors in need!
My name is Alan Shawn Feinstein. For the past 9 years, I have been giving away $1 million each year to anti-hunger agencies throughout the country.
This year, I am doing it again…
WHATEVER YOU DONATE TO THIS AGENCY,I WILL ADD MONEY TO IT. THE MOREYOU GIVE, THE MORE OF MY $1 MILLIONTHEY’LL GET—THANKS TO YOU!
Why am I doing this? Because I believe each of us was put here on earth to do what we can to help those in need. You got this letter because we feel that YOU believe that, too.
This has become the greatest grass roots campaign ever to fight hunger in our country. Your donation makes you a partner in it with me!
My money started this campaign but it is YOU who will help decide how many needy people in your city or town will be fed this year. I’m only here to give you some support and to remind you of this: That all that will matter to us someday is what we did while we were here to help those who needed us.
We Are Needed Now!
Please give whatever you can - I will gladly add some of my money to yours. My $1 million will be divided in full proportionately among the agencies receiving donations toward my offer.
Thank you for sharing my heart, and the hope that—someday—no one will ever go hungry.
Sincerely Yours,
Alan Shawn Feinstein
Join us in the Feinstein $1 Million Challenge!
Have you ever heard of Alan Shawn Feinstein?
For the 12th consecutive year, Alan Feinstein will divide $1 million among hunger fighting agencies nationwide using it to help them raise funds during March and April, 2009.
This year, donations made to the Community Storehouse in March or April will have Feinstein Challenge money added to it - the more donations we receive, the more of the $1 million we'll receive - all thanks to you, our generous donors!
Feinstein's past $1 million challenges to fight hunger have raised a record $940 million for agencies nationwide.
Become partners in what has become the #1 grassroots campaign to fight hunger - donate to the Community Storehouse!
Please, mail your support to: Community Storehouse, P.O. Box 3015, Martinsville, VA 24115 - or - donate securely online at http://www.communitystorehouseofmhc.org/.
Thank you!
For more information on the Feinstein Challenge, visit http://www.feinsteinfoundation.org/.
Feb 25, 2009
NEW Health & Hygiene Program
Most of us go to the grocery store and put whatever we want in our carts. When people using food stamp benefits go to the grocery store, they must have cash for any non-food items they need, as these items cannot be purchased with food stamps. Consequently, poor families, unemployed persons, and elderly persons on fixed incomes often must do without things that are essential for health and well being; things like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, cold medications, and pain relievers. Lack of these items can cause serious complications in their lives, interfering with their ability to function effectively on a daily basis and potentially leading to serious illness.A study by researchers at Northwestern University has shown that non-prescription over-the-counter medications such as cough syrups, cold and flu remedies, decongestants and allergy treatments have a significant impact in terms of preventing more serious infections. Consequently, the use of these products can prevent unnecessary physician or emergency room visits, improve work productivity for adults, prevent lost school days for children, and reduce the inappropriate use of prescription drugs. Northwestern researchers estimate that the overall savings from use of over-the-counter medications can be as high as $4.75 billion a year on a national basis.
Persons at risk already for infectious disease, due to conditions of poverty that sometimes prevent them from practicing good hygiene, are more likely to suffer more severe symptoms and long-term consequences of colds, flu and allergies than those who are better able to prevent these conditions or treat them in the early stages. The disadvantaged are the very people who end up in emergency rooms or at clinics with serious symptoms needing treatment they cannot afford.
The Community Storehouse, with the help of God's Pit Crew and other donors, established the Health & Hygiene program to distribute products like those listed above to needy families throughout Southside Virginia. Our clientele, already receiving supplemental food benefits, will in the coming months begin to receive health and hygiene benefits, as a part of our Healthy Families initiative.
Jan 8, 2009
Mental Health Association Fundraiser Donation
The Mental Health Association, located at 117 Broad St., Martinsville recently held its annual fundraiser & the Community Storehouse was selected to benefit from their proceeds; funds are earmarked for our Food for Kids program - providing needy children in our area with child-friendly, nutritious food. We are happy to announce this partnership. Thank you!
Auto Tech Donates Turkeys
Pictured: (from left) Eric Wray - Owner Auto Tech, Travis Adkins - Assistant Executive Director Community Storehouse.
While most of us had food in excess this past holiday season, thousands of poverty-stricken individuals and whole families living right here in Martinsville and Henry County didn't. Many relied on hot meals served at churches and food pantries such as ours to make their holiday a happy one. To help, Auto Tech, located at 1370 Virginia Ave., Martinsville donated turkeys to benefit the needy in our area. Thank you!
Jan 6, 2009
Food for Kids
Because the children don't have a choice.
- 54% of students enrolled in Martinsville City Schools and 46% enrolled in Henry County Schools depend on the school free/reduced meal program, and a percentage of those - for their only reliable source of food. - Data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study found that even children considered marginally food insecure - meaning they had food, but not enough, or simply not nutritious - lagged behind their peers in test scores.
- The percentage of children (ages 0-17) who are classified by the Henry-Martinsville Department of Social Services as 'living in poverty' in Henry County is 26% and in the city of Martinsville, over 34%.
- Elementary school-aged children who are food insecure not only have an increased prevalence of negative behavioral and health outcomes, but are more than twice as likely to have seen a psychologist. By the time they are teens, they are two times more likely to have been suspended.
The truth is sad. We have hungry children, going without all around us. For whatever reason their parents found themselves in this situation, it isn't the children's fault and even more sad - there's nothing they can do about it.
The good news is - there's something you can do about it! Become a Backpack Buddy with the Community Storehouse for as little as $20 per month, or $200 for the entire school year and you'll provide a needy child in our community with a new backpack filled with child-friendly, nutritious food, every weekend!
For more information, visit www.communitystorehouseofmhc.org, or call 276-632-9002.
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