WBGO is partnering with MEND, the hunger relief network in Essex County, to put a dent into a a growing problem.
During WBGO's December fund drive, supporters are being urged to give a financial contribution to MEND as well.
WBGO's Doug Doyle spoke with MEND Executive Director Robin Peacock, MEND Board Chair Jabbar Abdi, and Board member and pantry leader Sister Linda Klaiss.
MEND works to advance health equity and influence systems-level change through collaborative, community-driven, innovative programming. Its mission is to strengthen the health of our community by increasing access to fresh and healthy food.
Executive Director Robin Peacock, a lawyer by training, is a life-long advocate. In 2015, Robin joined MEND as a grant writer. She became the organization’s first Executive Director in January of 2018. Robin’s commitment to this work is deeply personal, rooted in her own experiences with hunger and poverty.
"You know I've been on the other side of this issue. As a kid who was on food stamps back in the day when it was like paper money and looked like Monopoly money, I remember the shame that went along with that. So for me in this work and what I hope to bring every day is an experience that gets rid of that shame and tries to make it feel like a better experience. My mom was a single mom. Many of people coming to the pantries and coming to our mobile markets are families that are working. It is a year-round issue. A lot of my learning has been just understand the different sort of food needs and preferences and health needs of the community, and then learning how to make that happen."
MEND envisions a community in which everyone has access to nutritious food and the ability to achieve their optimal health.
Board Chair Jabbar Abdi, a big fan of WBGO and jazz music, stresses everyone can make a difference in the battle against hunger.
"Hopefully, our volunteer base will grow. In these times where you often wonder what you and do and how you can be helpful, just know that we are an organization that is directly impacting those in the sound of our voice in this wonderful community that we call Essex County. You can directly impact your neighbor's well-being.
MEND values are community, diversity, collaboration and dignity.
Sister Sister Linda Klaiss say dignity is so very important when working with the community.
"On Saturday morning when we open our pantry, we have a line that goes from our pantry door down to the corner. We're serving more than 300 hundred families on a Saturday morning. All you have to do is walk down the line and look in their faces and you know that they need help. But the way you treat them makes all the difference. We have wonderful volunteers that come and help us and I think that's one of the things they take such pride in, greeting those who show up with a smile and a welcome and a friendly message.
You can learn much more about MEND here.
