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Help Armando keep the Open Hands Pantry pantry stocked

Armando runs a volunteer pantry feeding 334 families; this fund restocks shelves for the summer.

🇺🇸 United States2,950 views
Armando W. Nava
Email verifiedDriver licence verified
San Jose
Since 2019, our volunteer team has run Open Hands Pantry every Monday from the back of a community center. We started with 13 families, and now we feed 334 each week. Donations have dropped by about 49% this summer, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 9 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the San Jose market and keep every receipt. Each $40 feeds a family of four for a week. All of the funds go to groceries, fresh produce, and cold-storage costs. Where the $2,800 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $2,000 • Baby formula and diapers: $610 • Refrigeration and electricity: $190 Even a small gift gets used right away and I'll thank you myself.
#food-pantry#hunger#volunteer-led#food

Updates from Armando

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Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Anna N. Morgan 🇬🇧 · $500
  • Kumara Prasanna Gamage 🇱🇰 · $100
  • Zubby Olumide Igwe 🇳🇬 · $100
  • Flávio Leandro Vasconcelos 🇧🇷 · $100
  • Everly P. Watkins 🇺🇸 · $100
  • Bram Koster 🇳🇱 · $100

    “Get well soon. Been where you're, it gets better. - Rotterdam”

  • Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $75
  • Ruan Kruger 🇿🇦 · $75

    “Rooting for you. Only $75 but hope it helps. - Soweto”

  • Apio Anyango Tembo 🇹🇿 · $75

    “Thought of Armando all day after reading this. - Kinondoni”

  • Makoto Jiro Miyamoto 🇯🇵 · $74

    “Hang in there. Thought of Armando all day after reading this. - Kyoto”

  • Pranav G. Garg 🇮🇳 · $53
  • Zeynep Pınar Keskin 🇩🇪 · $50
  • Anonymous 🇧🇷 · $50
  • Laura Romane Guillot 🇫🇷 · $50

    “Happy to help. This is from my last paycheck, glad to do it. - Rennes”

  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $50
  • Rashidi Victor Mussa 🇰🇪 · $50
  • Amparo P. Robles 🇪🇸 · $50
  • Kevin Juma Mukasa 🇰🇪 · $50
  • Anonymous 🇮🇪 · $50

    “Best of luck. Shared with friends too. - Kilkenny”

  • Kehinde Damilola Alabi 🇳🇬 · $50

Reviews

4.0(2 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Emiliano S. Fernández🇲🇽Verified donor
    Patient and understanding

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

  • Fernando Caio Martins🇧🇷Verified helper
    Exceeded expectations

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

Questions & comments

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  • Rima Moumita Banerjee

    Hope things get better soon, Armando. Great idea, hope you get there. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like.

    • Audrey G. Joseph

      Sending strength. Gave what I could, wish it was more. I'm in nursing myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you. Take care

      • Wambui Mwanaisha Otieno

        I hope things turn around soon. Sent it to 28 people at work. Take care.

        • Brigitte Monique Hubert

          Praying for you. Your post was clear and honest. I'll check back for the next update. Love from Paris.

          • Gabriel Leonardo Vasconcelos

            Hope things get better soon, Armando. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. My cousin had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. God bless.

            • Bakari Collins Kamau

              Thanks for sharing this. Gave what I could, wish it was more. The breakdown of costs made it easy to trust. God bless.

              $3,236 raised of $2,800

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