Thousands of people have supported the JSM Foundation in one way or another and we are so grateful!
Thousands, you ask? Well, sure! Consider all of the high school students who brought in one of the 7,500 cans of food during the JSM Lenten High School Challenge. Consider the parishioners from twenty different parish churches who are each bringing a can with them on Sunday during the JSM Summer Campaign. And consider those who have contributed online or mailed a generous check; those who follow us on Facebook and Twitter; those who attend the smaller events; those contributing auction items to the JSM Gala and those planning on attending. Yes, it is thousands of folks and we are grateful for the enormous response in such a short time.
I’m really not very surprised because people like those reading this are inherently generous. You know about the plight of those facing the burdens of ordinary life that many take for granted. Those feeding multi-generational families on an antiquated minimum wage, those struggling between paychecks to put food on the tables. But thousands, yes thousands, have answered the call and contributed the cans and the dollars to help them out. And we are just one of many organizations answering the call.
I have been fortunate to meet many of the people we have helped. I wish you could see their sighs of gratitude and relief. I wish you could see the spring in their step as they leave with the groceries you have provided.
We are pleased to announce that we made one of our goals earlier than originally planned and added a third pantry at St. Thomas More on 4th Street in Southeast Washington. Their need was simply so great that we could not delay in helping them out.This is perhaps the poorest of the three so we are going to help them the best we can. I hope you will consider a small donation to help them between now and the JSM Gala. We are also pleased with several new additions to our Board. The folks are giving something very valuable – their time and talent.
We have been busy with the JSM Summer Campaign (see related blog post) and with plans for the JSM Gala (again, see related blog post) We have added some great auction items such as a trip to the Venetian in Las Vegas and gourmet dinners for two at both The Hay-Adams and The Jefferson hotels here in Washington. There is also art work, jewelry and salon gifts.Our great corporate partner, Hilton, has contributed several more trips, with Staycations at both the Washington Hilton and Capital Hilton as well as their superb properties in Orlando.
You can now register for the JSM Gala online here and invite your friends. It is as simple as jsmff.org/gala and I can assure you a fabulous evening is being planned. Of course, all of the proceeds go directly towards helping our inner city poor though the difficult holiday and winter seasons.
Thank you again for your support. May God richly reward you for your generosity.
Brian Mulholland