Your Impact in Action: House of Mercy’s April 2025 Highlights

At House of Mercy, we believe in transparency and celebrating the incredible impact your generosity creates. We’re thrilled to share a snapshot of the vital work accomplished together in April 2025. Your unwavering support truly transforms lives, providing essential resources and a beacon of hope to thousands in our community.

A Month of Unwavering Support: Our Food Pantry & Programs

April was a powerful testament to the ongoing need for our services, and thanks to you, we were there to answer the call. Here’s a look at how your donations made a tangible difference:

  • Reaching Far and Wide: Our food pantry and various programs served an astounding 1,492 households and 6,102 individuals last month. This included over 1,400 active client households and critical support delivered through our community partners.
  • A Welcoming Hand: We opened our doors to 33 new client appointments, assisting 83 new individuals. Additionally, we served 70 walk-in families (248 individuals) without prior accounts, ensuring that no one facing immediate need was turned away.
  • Community Footprint: Our impact spanned across 54 different zip codes and 38 cities, highlighting the broad reach of House of Mercy’s compassionate care.
  • Focus on Families: We understand that every household has unique needs. The average household we served was composed of 4.09 individuals, with a significant 2,504 children (0-17 years old) and 3,334 adults (18+) receiving vital support.
  • More Than Just Food: While food is central to our mission, we strive to offer holistic support. In April, we were able to provide:
    • 4 Baby Bundles, offering a crucial start for new parents.
    • 21 joyful cakes through our partnership with Cake4Kids, celebrating birthdays for children who might otherwise go without.
    • $380 in gift cards, providing flexibility for specific household needs.
    • 400 educational books distributed through our food pantry, fostering a love for reading.
    • An incredible 15,770 diapers, supplemented by an additional 20,000 diapers from the Greater DC Diaper Bank — a truly essential item for families with young children.
  • Building Stability: We’re so proud to report that 4 families graduated from our programs in April, a testament to their journey towards greater stability. We also extended assistance to 56 families, demonstrating our commitment to long-term support as they navigate challenges.
  • The Power of Your Donations: Your food donations are the lifeblood of our pantry. Last month, we distributed a staggering 37,862 pounds of food, valued at an estimated $133,414.94, directly to families in need. This included:
    • 13,994 pounds of fresh, nutritious food.
    • 10,082 pounds of essential non-perishable items.
    • 14 pounds of non-food household items.
    • Your generosity meant we received 37,862 pounds of donated food (valued at over $129,000!), which we strategically supplemented with 13,786 pounds of purchased food to ensure consistent availability.

Extending Our Reach: The Mobile Food Pantry

Our mobile food pantry continues to be an invaluable resource, bringing food directly to underserved areas of our community. In April, this crucial outreach initiative:

  • Served 7 households and 9 individuals.
  • Distributed 403 pounds of food, including 211 pounds of fresh food, 172 pounds of non-perishable items, and 20 pounds of non-food essentials.
  • Delivered an estimated $148,315 worth of aid directly to those in need.

Every Bit Counts: The Ripple Effect of Your Support

Think about this: each cart of food we provide weighs approximately 37 pounds and provides an estimated 30.8 meals for a family. While we strive for an ideal 50-pound cart, every pound of food and every dollar you donate directly contributes to reducing hunger and hardship.

We’re also excited to announce one new community partner joined us in April, further expanding our network and ability to connect individuals with vital resources.

How You Can Continue to Make an Impact

Your compassion, your donations, and your belief in our mission empower us to continue serving our community with dignity and care.

  • Donate today to help us keep our shelves stocked and programs running. CLICK HERE
  • Learn more about how you can volunteer your time. CLICK HERE
  • Follow us on social media for real-time updates and stories of impact! CLICK HERE

Together, we are building a stronger, healthier community.

Archives