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But this year was different. Funding for federal food assistance programs has been significantly cut, and access to SNAP benefits – the #1 way to fight food insecurity – has been restricted. At the local level, this has impacted the food supply we are able to procure, the record-breaking number of families we serve that have few alternatives to turn towards, and the financial capacity to operate our services at our expected budget. We are unfortunately not alone in facing this funding deficit. The stark reality is: foundations we are asking for support from are being stretched more thinly than ever as more of our fellow community non-profits and social service agencies seek additional funding sources to supplement the loss of substantial government funding. Yet, we have been inspired by an abundant source of hope: people like you.
Throughout this year, in our time of critical need, we have been galvanized by places of worship, businesses, schools, organizations, and dedicated individuals that have contributed funds, food, and volunteer hours so graciously to us. We are witnessing how the community will reach out to us and gather to support our families. Individually, we may not be as powerful as government institutions. But collectively, when many hands join together to contribute to a mutual cause, your voices are amplified. Our families feel the impact of your generosity and care through the services we continue to provide.
As in the biblical story of Esther, who stood up in the face of adversity to protect her people, we also feel as though we are put into this position for a reason – for our connections to the community, for our focus on bringing more than food to our guests, for the community engagement through volunteerism, for the hope of a new day. We are grateful that partners like you can help us even in the midst of these most challenging times.
This holiday season, we are holding a group-giving campaign to raise money so we can keep our services sustainable for years to come. We humbly ask you to rally your own community and help us raise $20,000 by January 31. By simply talking to your community about our work and impact, you can help us advocate for our families and volunteers.
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