MFN Shares Words of Gratitude

Recently, our Food Sourcing Coordinator Lauren visited MFN at Zion Lutheran Church in Bristol and received a wonderful poster signed by dozens of clients thanking us for the turkeys they received through Foodshare's Turkey and Thirty campaign. Cheryl Yetke, MFN's director, has made this gesture of gratitude an annual tradition. 

MFN opened its doors in 1982 and has since served over 875,000 meals and this year alone, the Emergency Food Pantry provided food to 1,507 families. MFN is also one of Foodshare's CSFP sites, serving up to 25 seniors after its establishment in July. They even add fresh produce from local farmers to the boxes they receive for added nutrition. 

Cheryl Yetke, Director, with donated toys

During the holidays, Paul Eckstrom and his dedicated volunteers host community dinners; 300 meals were delivered to neighbors who cannot leave their homes, and they served 170 more people in their kitchen. For Thanksgiving, MFN distributed over 300 turkey baskets from Foodshare and Gabe's Basket Brigade. MFN's clothing porch is full thanks to local volunteers and Best Cleaners' donation of 1,200 gently used winter coats. A toy drive brought in hundreds of toys for children from United Way, retired firefighters and police officers, local pubs, and the Veterans Council. 

One volunteer, Laurie, mentioned a moment that stood out to her over the years...a man came in for a winter coat and was teary-eyed as she held up a donated LL Bean vest. The expression on his face is “branded” in her mind and made her even more dedicated to eradicating hunger in Bristol. 

Thank you MFN for your successful efforts in providing for our neighbors! Foodshare is fortunate to have you as a partner.