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Help Julia keep the Open Hands Pantry pantry stocked

Help keep a free food pantry open for families and seniors in Newcastle.

Anywhere in the world2,640 views
Julia Bell
Email verified
Newcastle
Since 2020, our volunteer team has run Open Hands Pantry every Friday from the back of the old library basement. We started with 14 families, and now we feed 392 each week. Donations have dropped by about 60% this winter, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 11 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Newcastle market and keep every receipt. Each $35 feeds a family of four for a week. All of the funds go to groceries, fresh produce, and cold-storage costs. Where the $3,150 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $1,800 • Refrigeration and electricity: $220 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $1,130 I'll keep this page updated with receipts as things happen.
#food-pantry#hunger#volunteer-led#food

Updates from Julia

  1. We're at 48% thanks to 46 of you. the first invoice got paid this week. More news soon.

  2. Good news. Because of your gifts ($1,212 in total) I met with the wholesaler and confirmed the amounts. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  3. 14% there. the plan for fresh vegetables and fruit is now scheduled. Thank you.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Jan Finn Kuiper 🇳🇱 · $57.50
  • Eugene Juarez 🇺🇸 · $15
  • Yinka Lanre Zakari 🇳🇬 · $80.50
  • Maricel T. Villanueva 🇵🇭 · $5
  • Masud Babu Ahmed 🇧🇩 · $20
  • Javier D. Mendoza 🇦🇷 · $10
  • Simona Antonella Messina 🇮🇹 · $30
  • Pilar M. Mendoza 🇪🇸 · $10
  • Kenta Yusuke Endo 🇯🇵 · $50

    “Thought of Julia all day after reading this. - Tokyo”

  • Bruno José Figueiredo 🇧🇷 · $25

    “Thought of Julia all day after reading this. - Guarulhos”

  • Zawadi Neema Massawe 🇹🇿 · $71

    “Best of luck. Been where you're, it gets better. - Arusha”

  • Anonymous 🇳🇬 · $100
  • Lakshmi H. Chettiar 🇮🇳 · $25
  • Chinedu Uchenna Ajayi 🇳🇬 · $5
  • Maria D. Nguyen 🇺🇸 · $10

    “Hope this helps! - Albuquerque”

  • Kristine B. Manalo 🇵🇭 · $30

    “Stay strong. Small amount but sent with love. - Calamba”

  • Thảo Trang Truong 🇻🇳 · $20
  • Marco Giovanni Ferri 🇮🇹 · $200
  • Michał Tadeusz Sokołowski 🇵🇱 · $20
  • Okechukwu Lucky Nwosu 🇳🇬 · $25

    “Wishing you the best. This is from my last paycheck, glad to do it. - Onitsha”

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Questions & comments

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  • Annabelle E. Riley

    Wishing you peace, Julia. Great idea, hope you get there. We're a small family in Brest but we're thinking of you.

    • Ki-tae Min-ho KwakID verified

      Wishing you peace. I hope things turn around soon. I told my book club about it and three of them are giving too. Thinking of Newcastle

      • Emily M. Rivera

        So sorry you're going through this. More neighborhoods should do this. My late mom used to say help given quietly counts double. All the best.

        • Shailesh JainPhoto verified

          Good luck. Your post was clear and honest. My late mom used to say help given quietly counts double. Greetings from Ikeja.

          • Ariana H. RomeroAddress verified

            Best of luck, Julia. It takes guts to ask. Well done. It's not much but it's yours

            $3,320.50 raised of $3,150

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