Happy Bastille Day, everyone! On this date in 1789, a band of angry French commoners, fearful of being excluded from the reconstituted government by the more powerful factions of church and state, stormed the infamous Parisian prison and fortress. They freed a handful of fairly insignificant political prisoners when the prison guard stood down.

So maybe the commoners were rowdy and a little paranoid. Nonetheless, the riot preempted the political process and was the signature event marking the early days of the long and complicated French Revolution, which ended with the rise of the dictator general Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799. Monarchy, bad! Dictatorship…less bad? We did say it was complicated.

Here at NNEMAP, we are waging a lengthy battle against a more contemporary but no less vexing foe–hunger in our community. Since 1969, we have provided meals for local citizens in need of nourishment. We are still at it–now more than ever.

Our move last year to our building at 677 E. 11th Ave. has resulted in steady growth. We are now serving an average of just under 1,000 shoppers per month. In terms of customers served and meals distributed, NNEMAP is on pace to obliterate previous record totals. Consider:

January 1-June 30, 2014: 5,215 shoppers; 120,041 meals.

January 1-June 30, 2015: 4,237 shoppers; 96, 408 meals.

January 1-June 30, 2016: 5,985 shoppers; 150,540 meals!!!!!

We’re a little busy these days! How can you help?!? We’re glad you asked!!!

NNEMAP is always happy to welcome new volunteers to our revolution. Click here to view volunteer job descriptions or e-mail info@nnemappantry.org to set up your volunteer schedule today. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Together we can win the war against hunger!