Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Local Volunteers Find a Simple Way to Meet a Growing Need

At Feeding Hands, meeting a community need often starts with something simple: noticing what is missing and asking, “How can I help?”

That is exactly what happened when volunteer Ellen Stoddard, who runs the personal care products room at Feeding Hands’ Hillsborough location, saw an opportunity to make a difference. Ellen got the idea for an Amazon Wish List after seeing a similar effort at Feeding Hands’ Warren satellite location.

Together with fellow volunteer Kristin Wishnow, Ellen began spreading the word in local Facebook groups, asking neighbors to donate much-needed personal care items — especially feminine hygiene products and pull-ups for both children and adults.

These may seem like small necessities, but for families struggling to make ends meet, they can be difficult — and sometimes impossible — to afford.

When the essentials become a luxury

Feeding Hands, a Hillsborough-based nonprofit serving residents throughout Somerset County, is seeing the importance of its work at a time when many families are under increasing financial pressure. With government assistance such as SNAP facing reductions, local food pantries and food banks are needed more than ever.

And the need goes beyond food.

Many Somerset County residents are living paycheck to paycheck. Some are working but still find that there simply isn't enough money left after paying for housing, transportation and other necessities. Personal care products can easily fall to the bottom of the list.

Feminine hygiene products are particularly needed. Some Feeding Hands guests have shared that, when they cannot afford these basic products, they have resorted to using socks instead.

For Ellen and Kristin, that makes keeping the personal care products room stocked about much more than filling shelves. It is about helping people maintain their health, dignity and sense of normalcy during a difficult time.

A pantry with a focus on dignity

One of the things that makes Feeding Hands unique is its commitment to treating every guest and every volunteer with respect and empathy.

The organization understands that there is no single story behind food insecurity. A person seeking help may be working full-time, raising children, caring for a family member, facing unexpected expenses or simply trying to stretch an already tight budget far enough to cover the month.

Asking for help can be difficult. Feeding Hands strives to make sure that guests are met not with judgment, but with compassion.

That same spirit is reflected in the volunteers who keep the pantry running. Ellen and Kristin saw a need, found an idea that could work, and reached out to their neighbors.

The response is a reminder of the power of a local community.

A simple idea can make a real difference

The Amazon Wish List drive is one example of how neighbors can come together to address needs that might otherwise go unnoticed. A box of feminine care products, a package of children's pull-ups or adult incontinence products may not seem like a major donation, but for someone who needs them, they can make an enormous difference.

We’re so grateful for volunteers like Ellen and Kristin, who saw a need and found a way to help.

Their effort is a beautiful example of what happens when people pay attention, care about their neighbors and take action.

For those looking for a way to support Feeding Hands — whether by donating, volunteering or learning more about the organization — visit www.feedinghandspantry.org.

In a time when many families are struggling to make every dollar count, the message from volunteers like Ellen and Kristin is a powerful one: neighbors can help neighbors, and sometimes making a difference begins with simply noticing what is needed.

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