Among ignominious dates in American history, August 16 ranks right up there. Or down, perhaps, depending upon your perspective. On August 16, 1948, one of the greatest home run hitters of all time, Babe Ruth, the Bambino, the Sultan of Swat, passed away at a mere 53 years of age, his powerful frame racked with cancer. A short 29 years later, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, was found dead at the youthful age of 42.

Clearly, this is not a happy day for fans of multigenerational popular culture.

Rather than dwell on the past, however, NNEMAP Food Pantry is here to help you focus on the future. Yours–and, more importantly, ours! Today, August 16, 2017, marks start of the official 30 DAY COUNTDOWN to our fantastic end-of-summer Bourbon & BBQ Party!

We have a blues-chasing slate of events ready for you on the evening of Saturday, September 16th. Enjoy fine foods dished up by the fantastic folks at City Barbecue. Responsibly sample a variety of bourbon and other adult beverage options. Listen to the sweet strains of local guitar gods Paul Brown and Jeff McCargish. Take in the glorious, lush late summer landscape lovingly crafted by event sponsor and backyard artisans Landfare Ltd.

Trust us: you’re going to feel a lot better about yourself if you come. For more event details, tickets and information…

                                               CLICK HERE NOW!!!!!

We want you to remember this August 16th as the day you were given something awesome to look forward to: a splendid summer garden party sendoff in magnificent Marble Cliff. No need to be bummed out about the Babe or kicking yourself over the King. Eat, drink, be merry, and support your favorite local food pantry with us on Saturday, September 16th. Hope to see you there!

Please join us on Saturday, September 16th from 6-9 for this fundraising event for NNEMAP. Food will be provided by City Barbecue! There will be a bourbon tasting, a signature bourbon cocktail from Watershed Distilleries, beer from Seventh Son Brewery, and wine from the Twisted Vine. Music will be provided by guitarists Jeff McCargish and Paul Brown. We will have a wine and art silent auction!

We want to thank our presenting sponsor, Landfare Ltd. This landscaping organization is responsible for what you will see at this beautiful home! Also thanks to House of Krauss Design for their support!

And special thanks to Michele and Michael Leach, longtime supporters and volunteers at NNEMAP, for offering their home for this event!

NNEMAP is closed once again during the Ohio State Fair, which runs through Sunday, August 6th. Our building’s proximity to the state fairgrounds makes staying open logistically challenging. Fortunately, our parking lot is an attractive destination for fair patrons. So we can park cars in our lot to raise funds for food!

While we’re not serving our neighbors, we are making sure they are taken care of. During our pantry’s down time, our good friends at the following pantries will take on the extra business:

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES, INC., 1950 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH 43201 (614) 297-0592

COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER, 14 W. Lakeview Ave., Columbus, OH 43202 (614) 268-8118

WORTHINGTON RESOURCE PANTRY, 6770 Huntley Rd., Columbus, OH 43229 (614) 985-1766

Thanks to our local pantry friends for stepping up to help our neighbors.

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New Hours, Days, Service Area Coming!

When NNEMAP re-opens on Monday, August 7, 2017, our service schedule will change. Starting on that date, NNEMAP will be open every week on these days and times (except for holidays):

MONDAY: 9AM-NOON

TUESDAY: 9AM-NOON

WEDNESDAY: 9AM–NOON

THURSDAY: CLOSED!!!

FRIDAY: 9AM–NOON

SATURDAY: 11AM-1PM (Fresh Produce only)

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The new schedule is not all that’s coming. In response to demand, NNEMAP is adding the 43224/North Linden ZIP code to its service area. NNEMAP will now serve households in ZIP Codes 43201, 43211, 43215 and 43224. We are looking forward to welcoming our new neighbors to NNEMAP!

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New service territory, new hours and new dates means…we need new volunteers! Contact Assistant Director Sean Becker (sean@nnemappantry.org / 405-850-1688) to learn more about volunteering at NNEMAP today. Thank you for your continued support of our food pantry!

Last month NNEMAP Food Pantry was invited again to participate in the CenturyLink “Backpack Buddies” fundraiser. This campaign promises matching funds of at least 75 cents on the dollar thanks to the generosity of the Clarke M. Williams Foundation. That’s a great deal no matter how you look at it. 

After last year’s successful fund drive netted over $20,000 in total donations, NNEMAP challenged you, our donors, fans and supporters, to make this year’s event even better. Leave it to an organization supported by dozens of churches to understand the old ‘call and response’ routine, because did you ever respond!

NNEMAP’s donor individuals, churches and other organizations contributed over $37,000 toward the Backpack Buddies campaign. The Clarke M. Williams Foundation matched that nearly dollar for dollar. When all was said and done, NNEMAP was blessed with over $70,000 in total cash donations!

There’s really only one thing to say:

THANK YOU!!!!

As we approach the midpoint of the 2017 service year, NNEMAP Food Pantry is still seeing record numbers of clients. Compared to the drastic year-over-year increase from 2015 to last year, however, 2017’s growth is downright modest. We are on pace to distribute more meals than in 2016, but not over 100,000 more. Maybe an extra 10 percent or so–25-30,000 meals.

After working extra hard to keep pace for much of 2016, our crack staff of ace volunteers has the pantry operation running like a well-oiled, food distributing machine once again. So while we are still plenty busy, we’ve settled into our “new normal.”

NNEMAP Food Pantry would still love to see your smiling face volunteering. Interviewers, personal shoppers, front desk and Saturday help is always welcome. The more the merrier, many hands make light work, etc. You get the idea. Plus it’s a fun and fast-paced environment. You will have earned your keep by volunteering here!

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If you like working with people of all ages, NNEMAP Food Pantry is the volunteer spot for you! Contact Assistant Director Sean Becker at sean@nnemappantry.org or call him at 405-850-1688 to get started today!