Meet Amanda!

A FROM Donor story –

Meet Amanda.

Amanda Rogers is a wife, mother, friend, volunteer, leader, and business owner. Her business, Rogers Neighborhood Realty, is FROM’s newest Food Fight Match Base sponsor for 2023.

Volunteering and serving at more than nine local organizations, including FROM, you may wonder how one person could be involved in so many heartfelt organizations.

For Amanda, the answer is simple: Dedication, heart, and persistence.

“I am convinced that if everyone tried to make the world a better place right where they are at, in their little sphere, that we would all be a lot better off,” Amanda said. “[I’m] just trying to do my share and make opportunities for others to make a difference as well.”

Amanda started Rogers Neighborhood Realty in December of 2020. When asked to capture Rogers Neighborhood Realty, Amanda shared, “We enjoy being able to serve the community we live in with intentional care and extensive knowledge of all things real estate.”

The business now has four agents and a permanent location in historic downtown Lowell.

Amanda’s time at FROM hasn’t always been as a volunteer or donor. Her first experience was as a thrift store shopper. Living just a couple blocks away from FROM’s previous location on Jackson and Main, Amanda enjoyed having a thrift store within walking distance.

“The more I see of how the organization works, and how they process through decisions, the more I want to help them continue in their endeavors. It’s a natural fit for me!” she said about why she partners with FROM.

Thank you, Amanda, and all our Food Fight Match Base sponsors. We’re thankful that they have generously helped provide a more than $40,000 match challenge! The match is available between now and June 1, or until the match base has been completed. Make a donation online today at: fromlowell.org/donate

 

 

Meet Forest Hills Presbyterian Church!

A FROM Church Involvement Story

Meet Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.

Located at the corner of Cascade and 36th street, Forest Hills Presbyterian may be just outside the Lowell area but their impact here at FROM has been influential. It was the interruption of the church’s food program, A.C.C.E.S.S.6 that led them to FROM. Once the church had become involved with FROM and its programs, they were so impressed and intrigued that they added it to their Mission Committee. Now, 30 parishioners volunteer for FROM helping in our food programs and among other positions.

With its current 300+ members working to fulfill the church’s mission, ‘Christ-Centered, People Focused, Mission Driven’, the church has been involved in many FROM programs. From our Food programs to the Thrift store, From Christmas projects to Backpack distribution and all the in-betweens, Forest Hills Presbyterian has continued to show up and share their time, energy, and efforts with us.

When asked what motivates the church to stay involved with FROM, it was just one sentence from their pastor that keeps them going. “We need to be Christ in other peoples’ lives.” With that, the church hasn’t stopped seeking ways to show up and serve. Forest Hills Presbyterian shared their experiences with FROM. “We see the impact of FROM every time we go, every time we get the newsletter, every time we man a truck or pack a commodities box. We are so grateful to FROM for allowing us to be a part of this amazing organization.” We’re glad Forest Hills Presbyterian has partnered with us in such an impactful, empowered way. Gratitude certainly goes both ways!

Thank you, Forest Hills Presbyterian.

 

Meet Nick and Judy!

Meet Nick and Judy.

When COVID-19 halted resources, and communities, many of us made the move to work, and focus on staying home. When Nick and Judy found out their church’s food donation program was going to be interrupted, they followed their hearts to FROM. They hoped to help make sure those who were in need received help. Nick, a retired Independent Consultant and Judy, a retired Organizational Development Manager chose to show up for their community with helping hands and grateful hearts at a time of great unknowns.

The couple found themselves eager to serve FROM and its food programs.

“We found ourselves collecting and delivering items for the resale store, food for the pantry, working in the pantry as well as the various food distribution opportunities.” Judy shared.

Nick was excited to put his handy man skills to work, sharing his experience redesigning, building, and installing the new pantry.

“I would say that both, Judy and I are addicted to helping this organization.” Nick expressed.

For Judy, choosing to give back to the community was a very personal decision.

“I know how it is to not be sure if you will have enough money to feed your family and to keep the house heated,” she said. “I am blessed beyond measure that I am in a position now to be able to give time, money, resources and talents to this marvelous organization.”

We are so grateful that Nick and Judy chose FROM. Their laughter, life stories and very apparent love for those around them is truly contagious.

“We will continue to volunteer as long as FROM will have us!” Nick promises.

Together, they have volunteered many hours in FROM’s food programs, and in other administrative needs FROM has. With their church, Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, they’re involved in Mobile Food Pantries throughout the year.

Thank you, Nick and Judy!

 

2022 Food Fight Impact

Throughout the month of May 2022 we held our annual friendly but fierce competition – that’s right – our annual Food Fight!

This once-a-year fundraising campaign splits the Lowell Area School District by M/21 / Fulton Street into the North Team and South Team. The campaign helps stock the food pantry, and raises funds to support all of the programs at FROM (we have more than a dozen!). Teams collect 1 point for each dollar or food item donated to FROM.

The team with the most points at the end is crowned the winner.

Together the teams raised more than 154,205 points this year – the most ever!

Generous matching sponsors helped provide a $37,250 match base that matched every financial gift until the match was completed.

We were blown away by the kindness of our community; the match was fulfilled before we were halfway through the fundraiser!

We celebrate the South Team for winning the 2022 Food Fight, winning 7 of the last 13 Food Fight Campaigns (North Team has won 6).

We are so thankful for each and every one of you who participated in Food Fight 2022. Because of you, we were able to touch the lives of families right here in our community. We are thankful for everyone who made a financial donation, collected or dropped off food, and for sharing this opportunity with the community.

Thank you to all our donors, including our Matching Sponsors (listed below) and Head Coach business sponsors: Chimera Design, Lowell United Methodist Church, Metric
Manufacturing, Poultry Management Systems, Inc., Brian and Cheryl Doyle, Karen Corbett, Timpson Transport Inc, First Congregational Church of Lowell, Richard and Margaret DeVoest, Alec and Karen McPherson, Canfield Plumbing and Heating, McDonalds, Patrick and Kati Doyle, Ada Bible Church, Lowell Area Schools

Meet our new Staff Members!

Join us as we welcome Three new FROM staff members, Autumn Aldridge, Leah Groves and Cindy Dawes!

 

Autumn Aldridge

It’ll be Autumn greeting you as you enter FROM, serving as our new Office Administrator. Autumn was joined FROM at the end of February and is very happy about working for such a wonderful organization. “I love this organization and all that they do.” She shared.

Autumn looks forward to being part of the team while creating a welcoming experience for all. She has a heart for helping people and is looking forward to doing just that!

 

Leah Groves

Leah is FROM’s new Development Coordinator. She started in Early March. You may be wondering what a Development Coordinator does and we’re glad you’re curious! Leah will be focusing on marketing FROM programs to help raise awareness of their availability. Leah is passionate about creating connections between resources available and the community members in need. She often says, “Accessibility is everything!”

Outside of working hours, Leah serves as a Lowell City councilmember. In between work and her council duties, she enjoys spending her time with her sons, Lleyton and Beck.

Cindy Dawes

                Cindy Dawes stopped in to FROM to shop one day and decided she liked it so much she’d like to stick around! Cindy will be joining us as our new Sales Associate in Treasures Thrift Shop. Cindy is looking forward to giving back to the community while meeting new people and building lasting friendships.

Spending time with her husband, daughters and grandchildren is very important to Cindy. If Cindy is not working or spending time with her family and friends, she enjoys completing jigsaw puzzles!         

Next time you stop in at FROM, be sure to say ‘Hello!’ to Autumn, Leah and Cindy!