There are no coincidences in life so I realize that it is with purpose that I have been asked to share my experience of being on the receiving end of your generosity.
You see, for the past two months I have been feeling a heavy weight as I try to process how our Guests will navigate the disproportionate burden they face in this health and economic crisis. Along with that, I worry about the significant impact this pandemic will have on our signature events, a critical fundraising source for Lazarus House.
But today I am going to pivot and share with you why I am also so blessed to be part of this incredible Mission… and it’s all because of YOU.
As Director of Development, I get a front row seat to witness the compassion and love our donors shower upon our Guests every single day - in financial donations, food drives, virtual volunteering, and the hundreds of Amazon boxes filled with love. Without a doubt, our supporters are part of the Lazarus House family - celebrating every success alongside us, and hurting with us when we run low on the resources our Guests need. You tell others about our work without our prompting—or even without us knowing. It's truly beautiful.
This pandemic has created such profound and overwhelming need for the services we provide. The new faces we see each week in our Food Pantry (Wednesday, we provided almost 1000 families with weekly groceries) and Soup Kitchen tell us the new struggle that exists in our community as job loss, illness and childcare struggles threaten the stability of once-stable families. When we ask you for financial help, you answer generously. When we share our concerns about our limited food supply, without hesitation, you answer with your hearts in action.
Together with you
, I get to share the fulfillment, passion, enthusiasm and commitment to help those in need and bring light and hope into their lives.
Together with our Guests
, I get to share the joy, gratitude and happiness that your generosity has made possible.
Feeling Blessed,
Kelley Granahan
Director of Development