TOP 10 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ??? 🤔
Q: Why do you do this?
A: As a youngster I was molested, and it would prove to cause me great hardship for almost 4 decades, including addiction to alcohol, severe depression and suicide attempts, jail and legal problems, financial issues, and so on and so on. I was very fortunate to have a wonderfully supportive family, 3 beautiful children, and an amazing grandson in spite of it all. However, through a series of events, mostly very spiritual, I decided to first quit drinking, find someone to talk to, and ultimately dedicate myself to a cause that is dear to my heart. I realize that everyone has a story, and if you judge a book by its cover, you might just miss a very good read. By sharing my story with those we serve, I am able to hopefully inspire them to want to change their situations. By instilling hope via the process of maintaining a consistent weekly presence, we believe that we are able to reassure our friends that they are not alone and that many people do care about their well being. Ultimately our main goal is to “Empower Others To Empower Themselves!”
Q: What church are you with?
A: We are not a church, nor do we have a religious based agenda. We believe that the relationship or non relationship between a person and the way they choose to worship, is personal and not a necessary criteria for us to offer assistance. This does not preclude us from working with any organization, religious or otherwise, yet depends solely on the ability for us to have a productive and effective relationship.
Q: Who do you help, and what’s the criteria to receive help?
A: We help anyone who expresses a need for assistance. Our primary and priority demographic is the homeless population. However, we also realize that there are many individuals and families that are struggling to make ends meet, so we try to help the working poor as well. There have been many instances when we have given a lunch to someone who is just hungry, yet they have a job and they aren’t homeless. We try not to judge, and therefore work in the honor system. If you say you’re in need, we help without hesitation, in most cases.
Q: What does the MLK Humanity Project Sack Lunch Program contain?
A: A lot of Love and Kindness, in addition to a sandwich, chips, cookies, a fruit cup, a boiled egg, a banana, a drink packet, a 16 oz bottled water, a mint and/or candy, and information!
Q: What is a family package, and what’s the criteria to qualify for one?
A: Family Packages are a combination of food items, including sack lunches, staples (rice, bread, canned goods, etc), toiletries, and requested items. No two packages are the same, because they are based on circumstances. For example, a box for someone without access to electricity would differ greatly from a box for someone who does have access to power, and therefore refrigeration and a heat source.
To get a family package, you must be referred or we must approach you. Based on the situation of the individuals, we establish a schedule and a timeline, and what items are appropriate for their box, and how the exchange will take place. There is a basic 3 month period initially, and afterwards we reassess the situation and either extend, or terminate the service amicably, more often than not, which allows us to help another family. We are limited only by our supplies. Therefore the more we have the more families we can serve.
Q: What is the Pet Program?
A: The Pet Program is a our way of providing our friends who have pets with necessary pet items, such as high quality pet food, treats, toys, bowls, leashes, collars, a gallon of water, sweaters and pads (whenever available), and information upon request.
Q: How can I donate, and how do I get the donation to you?
A: Donations can be monetary, listed needed items, or items that are offered and accepted prior to exchange.
All donations can be delivered or picked up, depending on the circumstances of the donor.(Vehicle or no vehicle, and proximity to our location.
Q: How can I volunteer?
A: In order to volunteer, please find us at https://volunteer.cvnl.org/partner-portal/dashboard. We must first make arrangements to meet and discuss just how you would like to help, and what level of commitment are you willing to make? Afterwards, we will make arrangements to invite you as a special guest volunteer or a steady team member. Based on the growth of the organization, the need for volunteers will surely increase.
Q: Can kids volunteer?
A: We are always thinking of ways to incorporate kids and young adults into our project. We are already working on ideas to have fundraisers that are kid involved and kid driven. With regards to riding along on the lunch runs themselves, we do not take nor suggest taking kids, because we see a lot of things that we quite literally have to ignore. Many times the things we see can be disturbing, unsettling, and much too much for a young mind to process at the time. We are however considering allowing young adults, no younger than 16, with their own transportation, and accompanied by a parent or guardian to come along with us. To do so, you would just need to contact us via email or social media, such as Facebook or Messenger, and we will respond to work out the details.
Q: Are you a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization?
A: Yes we are, and all financial donations are tax deductible, or items accompanied with receipts, or reasonable value determinations.
Q: Why do you do this?
A: As a youngster I was molested, and it would prove to cause me great hardship for almost 4 decades, including addiction to alcohol, severe depression and suicide attempts, jail and legal problems, financial issues, and so on and so on. I was very fortunate to have a wonderfully supportive family, 3 beautiful children, and an amazing grandson in spite of it all. However, through a series of events, mostly very spiritual, I decided to first quit drinking, find someone to talk to, and ultimately dedicate myself to a cause that is dear to my heart. I realize that everyone has a story, and if you judge a book by its cover, you might just miss a very good read. By sharing my story with those we serve, I am able to hopefully inspire them to want to change their situations. By instilling hope via the process of maintaining a consistent weekly presence, we believe that we are able to reassure our friends that they are not alone and that many people do care about their well being. Ultimately our main goal is to “Empower Others To Empower Themselves!”
Q: What church are you with?
A: We are not a church, nor do we have a religious based agenda. We believe that the relationship or non relationship between a person and the way they choose to worship, is personal and not a necessary criteria for us to offer assistance. This does not preclude us from working with any organization, religious or otherwise, yet depends solely on the ability for us to have a productive and effective relationship.
Q: Who do you help, and what’s the criteria to receive help?
A: We help anyone who expresses a need for assistance. Our primary and priority demographic is the homeless population. However, we also realize that there are many individuals and families that are struggling to make ends meet, so we try to help the working poor as well. There have been many instances when we have given a lunch to someone who is just hungry, yet they have a job and they aren’t homeless. We try not to judge, and therefore work in the honor system. If you say you’re in need, we help without hesitation, in most cases.
Q: What does the MLK Humanity Project Sack Lunch Program contain?
A: A lot of Love and Kindness, in addition to a sandwich, chips, cookies, a fruit cup, a boiled egg, a banana, a drink packet, a 16 oz bottled water, a mint and/or candy, and information!
Q: What is a family package, and what’s the criteria to qualify for one?
A: Family Packages are a combination of food items, including sack lunches, staples (rice, bread, canned goods, etc), toiletries, and requested items. No two packages are the same, because they are based on circumstances. For example, a box for someone without access to electricity would differ greatly from a box for someone who does have access to power, and therefore refrigeration and a heat source.
To get a family package, you must be referred or we must approach you. Based on the situation of the individuals, we establish a schedule and a timeline, and what items are appropriate for their box, and how the exchange will take place. There is a basic 3 month period initially, and afterwards we reassess the situation and either extend, or terminate the service amicably, more often than not, which allows us to help another family. We are limited only by our supplies. Therefore the more we have the more families we can serve.
Q: What is the Pet Program?
A: The Pet Program is a our way of providing our friends who have pets with necessary pet items, such as high quality pet food, treats, toys, bowls, leashes, collars, a gallon of water, sweaters and pads (whenever available), and information upon request.
Q: How can I donate, and how do I get the donation to you?
A: Donations can be monetary, listed needed items, or items that are offered and accepted prior to exchange.
All donations can be delivered or picked up, depending on the circumstances of the donor.(Vehicle or no vehicle, and proximity to our location.
Q: How can I volunteer?
A: In order to volunteer, please find us at https://volunteer.cvnl.org/partner-portal/dashboard. We must first make arrangements to meet and discuss just how you would like to help, and what level of commitment are you willing to make? Afterwards, we will make arrangements to invite you as a special guest volunteer or a steady team member. Based on the growth of the organization, the need for volunteers will surely increase.
Q: Can kids volunteer?
A: We are always thinking of ways to incorporate kids and young adults into our project. We are already working on ideas to have fundraisers that are kid involved and kid driven. With regards to riding along on the lunch runs themselves, we do not take nor suggest taking kids, because we see a lot of things that we quite literally have to ignore. Many times the things we see can be disturbing, unsettling, and much too much for a young mind to process at the time. We are however considering allowing young adults, no younger than 16, with their own transportation, and accompanied by a parent or guardian to come along with us. To do so, you would just need to contact us via email or social media, such as Facebook or Messenger, and we will respond to work out the details.
Q: Are you a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization?
A: Yes we are, and all financial donations are tax deductible, or items accompanied with receipts, or reasonable value determinations.