Lots of mouths to feed

This is Roberto.  He is one of six kids. 

His mother and grandmother came to Mothers Helping Mothers for the first time the other day.  They were looking for uniforms for the children and hoped that MHM could help their family.  They were amazed at all of the things that MHM had to offer. 

Although unifroms may be a simple request, the asistance meant the world to Roberto's family.  We are just happy to be here to help families in need.  If you want to help a family like Roberto's, you can make your monetary contribution today!  Just go to our website at http://www.mhmsarasota.com/  Thanks in advance for your support!



Happy Tears

A young couple living by an elementary school came to us. We had helped them in 2006, and they never forgot it. He works as a computer repair/motherboard technician, and had recently found this great job. Unfortunately, they withheld the first two weeks of his salary. His wife works as a waitress. They have two little children who walk to school every day, and a new baby. They received an eviction notice from the landlord after missing only one month's rent. They didn't want to lose this house close to the school, and move their family. We were able to help them find resources to pay the rent.  In addition, Mothers Helping Mothers was also able to find the resources to provide the family with a gas gift card (he needs to drive a large truck to carry his equipment) and a grocery store gift card. They both cried and cried-- happy tears, because this burden they had been carrying was lifted from their shoulders.

Just another story that illustrates the true difference that Mothers Helping Mothers is making in the community.

Lifesavers

I stumbled (literally) upon Camilla on my last visit to Mothers Helping Mothers.  She was so sweet and just playing with sippy cups quietly on the floor while her mom, Karen, shopped with her other precious child, Ray. 

 

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Camilla and her cups



Karen and Ray

While talking to Karen, I discovered that she was a frequent visitor to MHM.  "Mothers Helping Mothers has been such a help to me.  I was lucky to get a crib for Camilla from MHM and now Ray is using the same crib.  I just don't know what I would do without them."  On this day Karen was looking for household items and clothes.  She also shared with me that she is going to school to further her education and will hopefull use her education to support her family one day.  MHM has helped Karen with materials for school as well.  "Mothers Helping Mothers helps so many people in this community.  I am just really thankful that they are here.  Mothers Helping Mothers has made such a positive impact in my life," said Karen. 



Karen is only one of the many people that MHM helps on a regular basis.  While we cannot tell everyone's story, know that Karen represents so many mothers that would be lost without Mothers Helping Mothers. 





Sweet smile from Ray!

Crib Man

This is Tom, a volunteer who gives his time every week to Mothers Helping Mothers, but you can simply call him "Crib Man".  Not only does he help customers with regular needs, but he also has the wonderful job of giving cribs to expectant parents.  When asked how it feels to give a new crib to a family, Tom responded that "...it feels like Christmas!  I love how it makes me feel to load a crib into a family's vehicle for them to take home.  I just wish that Mothers Helping Mothers had more cribs to give because the need is definitely there."    Tom began volunteering for MHM after being recruited by his best friend.  "I wanted to get involved in the community," said Tom "and believe it or not there were organizations who simply said that they did not need any more volunteers.  I was welcomed with open arms at Mothers Helping Mothers and I have been here ever since." 

Tom is just one of the many volunteers that help Mothers Helping Mothers keep the doors open.  We are always looking for helpers to do everything from check in clients and stock shelves to sort clothes and help clients.  If you or someone you know may be interested in volunteering, please contact us!  Without our volunteers, there would be no Mothers Helping Mothers.  This organization has been run by all volunteers since its inception over 20 years ago!

A light at the end of the tunnel

A family came to us after a fire had destroyed part of their house, making it inhabitable for awhile. To add to the tragedy, the family lived in an area with a high crime rate and because of this the family was unable to buy renter's insurance.  The landlord did have insurance to cover the structure, but beyond that they had some loss and damage to personal items. The Red Cross provided the family housing for the first week of having their home repaired, but they had 19 more days until they would be able to move back in to the home. They had nowhere to go. Can you imagine the hopelessness that they were feeling?  Thanks to assistance from Mothers Helping Mothers, the family was able to stay in a hotel for 19 days.  Mothers Helping Mothers also worked with the family to find help to replace the items that were damaged by the fire.  They were so happy to have somewhere to stay, and to know we listened to their needs and helped them find a solution.


This is just one example of how MHM is making a difference in the community.  What are you doing to make a difference or to show someone that you care?  You can start today by making a donation to Mothers Helping Mothers and helping a family in the area.

Her Eyes Say It All

This is Katie who was recently shopping at Mothers Helping Mothers with her mom Rosie.

While talking to Rosie, I discovered that Katie is the youngest of her four children.  She also has a eight year old, seven year old, three year old and Katie who is 18 months old.  Rosie was shopping for a double stroller for her two youngest children since she walks her kids to school everyday.  Her walk is quite a ways, as I understand and it is very difficult to walk with the two older children, hold a child and push another in a stroller.  (It makes me tired just thinking about it!)





She was the nicest lady and had a very simple, but very real need that Mothers Helping Mothers was able to help her with.  Rosie is like so many of the people that Mothers Helping Mothers serves on a regular basis.  She just wants the best for her children.  This may be a simple story, with a simple need, but Mothers Helping Mothers is happy to help!  Whether the need is big or small, the organization will do everything possible to make the lives of working poor families better, easier and happier!

Sleeping Soundly...Thanks to MHM

A woman who participated in a diaper drive called us to tell us about her coworker who was in need of assistance.  She said this young mom couldn't make ends meet and asked if her coworker could get help by receiving diapers. When we spoke with the woman,  we  found out that her need was far greater than just diapers. This mom worked full time in an office here in Sarasota, and made a daily commute of (round trip) 90 miles every day.  She had tried to find work closer to home but couldn't  and she was unable to afford the cost of living in Sarasota. Her husband had Crohn's Disease in addition to being Bi Polar, so he is unable to work, and stays home to care their two year old. Mothers Helping Mothers worked with this family and helped them find resources to provide groceries, fuel, and regular living expenses. The mother expressed to us that for the first time since she could remember, she is able to sleep soundly at night, without her head being full of worry about the finances.

This is just one of the many families that benefits from Mothers Helping Mothers every year.  Make your donation today and help make a difference in the life of a family just like this one!  http://www.mhmsarasota.com/

A Big Help

 

This little cutie is the newest grandson for a local grandmother whose family greatly values all that Mothers Helping Mothers has to offer.  With two grandsons and another on the way, it was a family afair shopping for the latest baby needs.  Toshia, the expecting daughter, told me that she was referred to Mothers Helping Mothers by Head Start and it has been a great help.  She also mentioned that Mothers Helping Mothers has helped her to prepare for the arrival of her little boy which is only a few weeks away. 

This family is one of the many that is helped by Mothers Helping Mothers.  To ensure that the organization is able to continue to help those in need please make your doantion today!  Visit our website at http://www.mhmsarasota.com/ for more information.