House of Mercy Food Pantry and Program Highlights – January 2025
We are excited to share the impact of our food pantry and programs for the month of January 2025. Thanks to the continued support from our community and partners, we were able to serve thousands of individuals and families in need. In January, we served a total of 1,321 households and 5,391 individuals. Of these, 1,241 households and 5,112 individuals were active clients. Additionally, we supported 8 families and 24 individuals through our partners.
Throughout the month, we saw 72 families and 255 individuals walk in without an account. On average, we served 62 families per day, reaching individuals across 51 zip codes and 36 cities. The average household size for those we served was 4 people, with 2,235 children and 2,877 adults benefiting from our services.
Our programs also continued to provide specialized support to those in need. We served 2 families through our Families of Mercy program, distributing a total of $29.41 in TS credits. Additionally, we distributed 2 baby bundles, 18 cakes through our Cake4Kids program, and $125 in gift cards. While there were no new clients or families graduated in January, the community’s need for food and resources remained high.
In terms of food distribution, we purchased 8,725 lbs of food and received 35,831 lbs in donations, amounting to a total value of $201,748.48. The pantry provided 28,602 lbs of fresh food and 6,040 lbs of non-perishable food, along with 28 lbs of non-food items. The total value of the food given out was $208,857.53, with 44,456 lbs of food distributed in total. Each cart of food weighs an average of 69 lbs, which provides approximately 57.5 meals. This exceeds the ideal cart weight of 50 lbs to ensure families have enough food to meet their needs for the month.
In addition to food, we were able to distribute 15,700 diapers, with 20,000 diapers donated through the Greater DC Diaper Bank.
One of the most moving stories from January involves a client who was supposed to be graduated from our services but needed our assistance more than ever. This client, a retired woman and cancer survivor, has struggled to make ends meet on a limited social security income. After the passing of her husband, she had to manage all of their household responsibilities on her own. She found herself facing not just the emotional weight of loss but the financial strain of daily living. With no significant family support, she has felt the burden of trying to provide for herself and maintain normalcy in an increasingly challenging situation.
When Erin, one of our dedicated team members, spoke with her, it was clear that this woman needed help. Though she had been on track to graduate from our program, Erin saw the depth of her struggle and understood that the circumstances had changed. Erin made the compassionate decision to extend her assistance, ensuring she would continue to receive the support she needed. It’s these moments that remind us why our work is so important and why House of Mercy is committed to supporting individuals in their time of greatest need, regardless of what might be expected or “scheduled.”
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our donors, partners, and volunteers. Your support makes it possible for us to provide the essential services that so many rely on. January was a month of great need, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve the community. As we move into February, we remain committed to meeting the ongoing demand for food, resources, and support.
If you are interested in supporting our efforts or becoming a partner, please visit our Get Involved page to learn how you can make a difference. Thank you for being a part of the House of Mercy community. Together, we can continue to bring hope and assistance to those in need.