The 2011 Feinstein Challenge: March Against Hunger Campaign is officially over and this year’s challenge was the most successful in all of the 10 years Good Samaritan Ministries has participated.
$129,267.75 was raised during the months of March and April in order to raise awareness for the plight of hunger on a local level.
“Our goal was $100,000 and we shot right passed that thanks to the incredible giving nature of our community,” said Angelia Bostick, Executive Director of GSM. “They repeatedly held and contributed to food drives, participated in our Empty Bowls Project, joined us for our Easter Buffet and contributed in so many different ways.”
And while it’s nice to set a high goal and surpass it, the sad fact is the numbers are still increasing. More and more families are coming to the Food Pantry needing help with their monthly grocery staples. More and more families are finding themselves in situations where they need the help that Good Samaritan Ministries offers.
This year, GSM planned several events to coincide with the annual Feinstein Challenge including the Empty Bowls Project and the Easter Buffet. In addition to those two events, local scout Aaron Pulley chose GSM to be a recipient of his Eagle Scout Project, a huge food drive to benefit the Food Pantry.
Other schools, churches, businesses and individuals held food drives, made donations and supported GSM by attending the various events held throughout the two months of the challenge.
“We’re always excited to see the support we receive from the community and it’s exciting to meet and surpass the goals we set,” said Bostick. “But, it’s also important to realize that through the help of our community and churches, we are meeting a very real need in the lives of a growing number of people in our community. We hold fundraisers and drives year-round because we operate five days a week all year long.”
Bostick said that need knows no rest, plays no favorites and kicks people when they are down. Fundraisers like The Feinstein Challenge helps the ministry to meet the needs of the people it serves – Brown County residents, friends and neighbors, who have fallen on hard times.
For more information about GSM, the services it provides, volunteer opportunities or to donate, call 643-2273, stop by 305 Clark Street or visit www.goodsambwd.org.
