HYPERLOCAL NEWS HUB BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM
Cooper-Young's First Congo Collects Food for the Hungry
Ray MacGowan serving bagels in Cafe Congo
November 17, 2011
Vivian Haynes/MicroMemphis reporter
Community -- it's among the first and longest-lasting impressions made by the people of Cooper-Young on residents and visitors alike.
"Your neighbors are your family and you need to watch out for family. We are good for that in CY," said Suzzane Striker, a Cooper-Young resident.
For Suzzane, giving back to the community means helping those in need. Every year, she can be found walking around the Cooper-Young neighborhood putting flyers on doors for the Cooper-Young Thanksgiving Food Drive.
"I love doing this because I love giving back and because I get to encounter people I've never met, right in my neighborhood," said Striker.
The food drive benefits Loaves and Fishes Closet, a program that assists neighbors from the Cooper-Young community who are in need of food or clothing. Located inside First Congregational Church, the "closet" is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. On Thursdays, volunteers serve hot soup.
Associate pastor Sonia Walker opened The Loaves and Fishes closet 10 years ago with the help of other members of First Congo. Walker explained that it was originally a "snack bag ministry" aimed at providing a few snacks for homeless and transient people.
Ten years later, the charity has morphed into something exponentially larger -- but not without the help of another well-known organization.
"When families with four to five members started coming in, we realized we needed more than just snacks and that's when we called the Mid-South Food Bank for more help," said Walker.
With donations from volunteers and the Mid-South Food Bank to the Fishes and Loaves closet, First Congo was also able to set up Food for Families. Once a month, Food for Families now provides about $150 in groceries to families in need.
Vivian Haynes/MicroMemphis reporter
Community -- it's among the first and longest-lasting impressions made by the people of Cooper-Young on residents and visitors alike.
"Your neighbors are your family and you need to watch out for family. We are good for that in CY," said Suzzane Striker, a Cooper-Young resident.
For Suzzane, giving back to the community means helping those in need. Every year, she can be found walking around the Cooper-Young neighborhood putting flyers on doors for the Cooper-Young Thanksgiving Food Drive.
"I love doing this because I love giving back and because I get to encounter people I've never met, right in my neighborhood," said Striker.
The food drive benefits Loaves and Fishes Closet, a program that assists neighbors from the Cooper-Young community who are in need of food or clothing. Located inside First Congregational Church, the "closet" is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. On Thursdays, volunteers serve hot soup.
Associate pastor Sonia Walker opened The Loaves and Fishes closet 10 years ago with the help of other members of First Congo. Walker explained that it was originally a "snack bag ministry" aimed at providing a few snacks for homeless and transient people.
Ten years later, the charity has morphed into something exponentially larger -- but not without the help of another well-known organization.
"When families with four to five members started coming in, we realized we needed more than just snacks and that's when we called the Mid-South Food Bank for more help," said Walker.
With donations from volunteers and the Mid-South Food Bank to the Fishes and Loaves closet, First Congo was also able to set up Food for Families. Once a month, Food for Families now provides about $150 in groceries to families in need.
Food for Families - Serving Midtown, University of Memphis area, and Orange Mound
C-Y residents eating at the Fishes and Loaves closet
"Last month, we served 192 families," said Julia Hicks, director of missions at First Congo.
Unlike the Fishes and Loaves closet, which is open to all, Food for Families specifically serves three Memphis area codes: 38104, 38111 and 38114. Donations from the Cooper-Young Thanksgiving Food Drive will be going toward Food for Families and the Fishes and Loaves Closet.
And according to Hicks and Striker, donations are especially critical during the holiday season.
"With the weather changing and the holidays coming up, people are in here a lot," said Hicks. "So donations are critical."
All donations, whether monetary or non-perishable foods, are welcome, but the pantry is in particular need of Vienna sausages, fruit juices and individually wrapped snacks.
"This (project) is something that needs ongoing support," Striker said. "We should also be aware that the recipients of the donations are Cooper-Young residents, our neighbors. If you walk through our doors, then you are welcome to our bounty."
It's also not too late to donate or volunteer your services. For more information, contact Suzzane Striker at suzzanes@comcast.net
Unlike the Fishes and Loaves closet, which is open to all, Food for Families specifically serves three Memphis area codes: 38104, 38111 and 38114. Donations from the Cooper-Young Thanksgiving Food Drive will be going toward Food for Families and the Fishes and Loaves Closet.
And according to Hicks and Striker, donations are especially critical during the holiday season.
"With the weather changing and the holidays coming up, people are in here a lot," said Hicks. "So donations are critical."
All donations, whether monetary or non-perishable foods, are welcome, but the pantry is in particular need of Vienna sausages, fruit juices and individually wrapped snacks.
"This (project) is something that needs ongoing support," Striker said. "We should also be aware that the recipients of the donations are Cooper-Young residents, our neighbors. If you walk through our doors, then you are welcome to our bounty."
It's also not too late to donate or volunteer your services. For more information, contact Suzzane Striker at suzzanes@comcast.net
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Vivian Haynes / MicroMemphis Reporter
