September 11th
Last night my daughter and I were talking about the significance of September 11th. My daughter is in the 7th grade and now has a better understanding of what happened in 2001 and she now has the ability to ask a lot tougher questions. A lot tougher questions.
I tried to end the conversation on a happier note because I want her to know that when their is unbelievable tragedy there is also unbelievable helpers. Those individuals who will risk everything to help their fellow humans. These helpers do not have capes and they do not have super powers but they are every bit a Hero. September 11th we saw alot of heros and we see these heros now in this pandemic of COVID 19. These helpers operate in their quiet way but we need to take the time to thank them on days like today and the helpers who gave their lives for us.
Maryland Public TV showcases the Franciscan Center.
All last week MPT showcased our COVID 19 work on their website and their social media platforms. MPT did a great job.
There are 5 videos. The longest video is 7 minutes but most are 2 minutes are less.
Dallas Nicholas Elementary - Our Cookout for our neighborhood elementary school.
Last Friday we hosted a cook out for our friends at Dallas Nicholas School. We welcome just over 90 families to the cookout. We loved working with the principal Mrs. Danielle Adams and her team.
We were able to provide school supplies for more than 200 youth. Haircuts for 20 youth and Baltimore Oriole Hats for 90 families. We also were able to provide face coverings, new socks and plenty of hand sanitizer to all families. We were thankful for Family Tree, Census 2020, State Senator Mary Washington and Councilman Stokes for being apart of this cookout.
A big thank you to Howard Bank, Walmart Associates from the Dundalk Store and Alex Brown - Decker Global Wealth Group for their support of this project. A huge help for us.
Haircuts for our Neighbors.
The need for haircuts was felt by everyone. When barber shops and hair studios did open most required an appointment which is still the case in our City. Our clients even if they had the money for a haircut would never be able to make an appointment.
We have hosted four days of free haircuts for our clients including the free haircuts we provided for children at our Dallas Elementary School Cookout last Friday.
We have now provided 94 haircuts and we have scheduled two more haircut days. We are very thankful for BMORE Cutz for their help and their barbers.
If you are a barber/hair stylist we could use your help at future events. Please contact me if you can help.
What we are working on NOW.
- Opening our Center. Right now we are circling November 1st as the day we open the inside of our building to our clients.
- Testing for COVID 19. Most of our clients have not been tested for COVID 19 because it takes multiple buses to get to a testing location. We think we would make a good testing site.
- We are still distributing 23,000+ meals a month. In normal times we served 11,000 to 12,000 meals per month. Is this a new normal ?
- Getting our clients job interviews
- Helping our Clients stay in their homes by negotiating past due rent payments
- Raising Funds to support our Work.
Happy Birthday to US! We turned 52 years old on September 10th.
Yesterday the kitchen team prepared cakes and desserts for our staff and volunteers. This year was a low key celebration after we finished most of the days work.
We took time to remember former Executive Director Sister Linda Tan who passed away very recently from a long fight with cancer and we of course remember our founder Sister Irene Marshiano. We have a lot to be proud of and we still have a lot of work today. This birthday is a good time to recommit ourselves to the work we do.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
May God Bless Each of You,
Jeff Griffin
Jgriffin@fcbmore.org
Monday: Labor Day
Tuesday: 2,298 meals (we served 59 meals at dinner)
Wednesday: 2,085 meals (we served 62 meals at dinner)
Thursday: 1,495 meals
Friday: 560 meals
Total Meals for September as of September 11th: 14,455
Total Meals for August: 23,848
Total Meals for July: 26,586
Total Meals for June: 57,906
Total Meals for May: 66,242
Total Meals for April: 33,629
Total Meals for March: 14,733
# of Hygiene & Dental Kits Given Out: 2,340
# of Face Covering Given Out: 5,250
#of Haircuts: 94
# of NEW Socks Given Out: 3,400
# of Box Fans Given Out: 171
# of Farm to Families Produce Boxes Given Out: 3,200
We are honored to work these community partners to distribute food and supplies to our neighbors throughout Baltimore. Since March 16th we have worked with:
- District 43 Response Team (Sen. Washington, Del. Boyce, Del. McIntosh)
- Councilman Robert Stokes
- Councilman Leon Pinkett
- Matthew Henson Neighborhood Association
- University of Maryland – Mid Town Hospital
- MedStar Hospital - Good Samaritan
- Northwest Hospital
- Douglas Homes (Public Housing)
- Cherry Hill Homes (Public Housing)
- Baltimore Safe Haven
- R.I.C.H. Foundation
- WIN Family Resources
- Pennrose Adult Senior Services
- Jay Van Story Senior Living Apartments
- Harford Commons Senior Living
- Pleasant View Senior Living Apartments
- Water Tower Senior Living
- Lillian Jones Senior Apartments
- Greenmount West Community Center
- Absolute Care
- Baltimore Connect
- Central Baltimore Partnership
- Baltimore City Health Department
- Baltimore City Department of Planning
- Mosaic Services
- Mayor's Office of Homeless Services
- The Greens at Irvine's Senior Apartments
- Rusty Scupper Staff Members
- Zion Baptist Church
- St. Ann's Catholic Church
- Giving Back, Linda's Legacy
- Breaking Bread
- Women's Housing Coalition
- Civic Works
- Assistance Center of Towson Churches
- Greenmont Rec Center
- Greater Paradise Christian Center
- Greenmount West Community Association
- Baltimore Rescue Mission
- BUILD - Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development
- St. Mathews Catholic Church
- Harvest Ministries
- Paul's Place
- Bikemore
- Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET)
- Meals on Wheels ~ College Park
- North Ave. Mission
- We are making 30 individual deliveries per week to high risk seniors who cannot leave their apartments due to medical advice.
