Generous parishioners ‘see a need & respond’

 

By Yadira Betances Muldoon
MethuenLife Writer

At the Soup’s On fund-raising event, Neighbors in Need received a $10,000 donation from one of their own – First Church Congregational.
The church on Pleasant Street in Methuen runs the Tuesday Evening Food pantry which has been serving up to 400 families weekly.
“It brought tears of happiness to my eyes. It left me speechless,” said Lisa Smith, Neighbors in Need executive director. Although they had told her about a donation, Smith said she didn’t expect it to be that substantial amount.
“I’m very grateful for their generosity. It set the tone for the evening,” Smith said.
Members of First Church brought an oversized check and made the presentation after Mike Boutin, director of Music at First Church, led opening prayer at the event.
“As we eat together, may we be inspired by the mission of Neighbors in Need to serve, to uplift and to stand beside our neighbors who face hunger, poverty and hardship,” Boutin said.
First Church’s donation was the largest individual donation at the fund-raiser, held May 17 at Indian Ridge Country Club in Andover. An anonymous family fund gave a $25,000 matching fund.
Neighbors in Need raised $141,581.33, surpassing their goal of $125,000.
NIN started in 1983 and distributes food and diapers to underprivileged families in Greater Lawrence.
The pantry at First Church started in 2017 at the suggestion of former Pastor Bill Ingraham, with parishioners Ken and Marilyn Peck agreeing to help. Ken is food pantry coordinator and has 35 to 50 volunteers every week helping him.
NIN also distributes food Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30am at the Neil Playstead on Lawrence Street.
Outreach Ministry Team leader Marilyn Peck said the donation came from money members of First Church have collected to support the pantry.
“They see a need and respond right away. The pantry is very close to their heart,” she said, adding the pantry could not run without the faithful volunteers.
Rev. Dr. Ann Rogers Brigham, interim pastor agreed.
“Our congregation is passionate about caring for people who are in need in our local communities. Their faith is evident in the way they volunteer and give generously of their time, talent and treasure,” Rogers Brigham said.

NIN Executive Director Lisa Smith (far left) accepts an unexpectedly large donation from members of First Church Congregational, which runs NIN’s only evening food pantry in the area. To Smith’s left are Josh Ferry, church’s Board Chairman; church members Lori Bennett, Sue Newton, Kathy Romano; Marilyn Peck, team leader of the Outreach Ministry; Ken Peck, Tuesday Night food pantry coordinator and Steve Boyko, church’s Board Vice Chairman. Courtesy photo