Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Family Assistance Center is located in Whittier, CA at the St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. They are an all volunteer run organization that provides food and clothing for low income families. They service families in need in unincorporated areas of South and East Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, La Mirada, Pico Rivera and Downey. It is open to people in need of all faiths. The volunteers are all women and NHN helps many women that are supporting their families on their own. 



My family and I have been donating food,

Black Belt Alumni Food Drive

clothing and toys for a few months. We held food drives through a couple of our studios, In the Flow Studios Arts and Kadan Martial Arts, and were not prepared for the overwhelming gratitude upon delivering our donations. Sadly their pantry was almost empty before we brought the food we had collected. Many families would have needed to make it on a can of food for the day. It was difficult to believe that an organization dedicated to helping so many in need would be suffering in this way. My family and I decided that day that while we may not have much extra cash at the moment we would find ways to help this heart-run organization. 

Our next donation was personal. We began with clothing. Over the years we've accumulated our fair share of clothes that are still new but we've outgrown, our tastes have changed, our lifestyle has changed, etc. Suffice to say we will not use these clothes, shoes, hats again. We gathered everything we could washed and cleaned the items and delivered our next donations. Again we we met with genuine gratitude and joy for all the people that would be helped. But as we walked back into the food pantry again we were met by empty shelves. 

My heart fell to my stomach when I realized the people we had passed on the way in would have no proteins to bring home, or bread, or fresh vegetables. They would not leave empty handed as all in need are given food but they would not have enough to provide the basics needed for a nutritional meal, especially if they needed to feed growing children. 

I'm writing this post because I know that while many of us may not be able to afford extras or luxuries at the moment we know there are others that are less fortunate and we want to help. One of the noblest ways to express our gratitude for what we have is to be charitable with those that have less. There are many ways we can be a light for another human being without much sacrifice. We can spare useful household items that we are not using. We can donate jackets, shoes, clothes that we no longer wear. We can donate money, no amount is too small and it's tax deductible. We can donate a few extra cans of food we buy in bulk at warehouse stores. 

Providing food is Neighbors Helping Neighbors' primary mission. They are committed to never allowing anyone in need leave empty handed but they can only fulfill their commitment with our help. Beans, bread, rice, canned beef, vegetables and fruits are needed staple items in their pantry. They also try to buy fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible. They accept and appreciate fresh produce donations from your own backyards. 

While fixing all the world's problems seems a monumental task we can take our first steps towards it by helping our neighbors get through the day with a meal and a warm coat. I urge those that are local and inspired to reach out to Neighbors Helping Neighbors and find a way to lend some help. And please stop by inperson to see for yourself the good they are doing. 

A special note for the months of October, November and December they collect food, clothing and toys for Thanksgiving and for Christmas. 

"Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a non-profit community-based organization working to strengthen individuals and families in Whittier and surrounding communities. 

About NHM Food Pantry: The principal service is the provision of food. Among the items provided on a weekly basis to families in unincorporated areas of South and East Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, La Mirada, Pico Rivera and Downey are bread products and two or more shopping bags, including produce and non-perishable items. 

An average of 30-50 families and 188 individuals are assisted on a daily basis. 

NHN does not require a social security number thus serving a population that might otherwise go hungry."

NHN Contact info:
Located: St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 13935 Telegraph Road (Convent), Whittier, CA 90604, USA
Phone: (562) 777-2475
Service Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Director: Rosana Javier Ly
Email: neighbors@sggcatholic.org 

If you're inspired to visit NHN I'd be grateful if you would please leave a comment and or picture about your experience below. Thank you. 

Thank you for honoring the feminine. 

You can find more information about Aurora's Women's Empowerment Organization at:

Website Women's Empowerment: http://www.empowerment.ws/home.html
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EmpowermentWS?ref=hl
Website Kadan Martial Arts: http://kadanmartialarts.com
Poetry Musings Blog: http://speakyourart.blogspot.com


POI