Tom Thousand unselfishly drives Seniors to doctor appointments, errands, and other short trips. He also drives to local businesses to pick up donated food and transport it to our food pantry to help feed the hungry. In 2010 alone, Tom volunteered close to 330 hours.
Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM)
Preventing Homelessness, Ending Hunger
Helping our neighbors in the greater West Madison and Middleton area
Our Stories Preventing Homelessness, Ending Hunger
One of the best ways for us to explain the importance of MOM's work to End Hunger and Prevent Homelessness in our community is through your stories, in your own words. Share your Story.
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Doing All She Can
The drive and heart behind Cynthia Marty's involvement with MOM has a closer tie than just wanting to do good in her community. She believes that helping an organization that does so much good in the community keeps her grounded and reminds her of where she came from.
"Growing up in a single parent household, my mother often needed to use a food pantry for us to eat," she recalls. A lack of education and having two children to feed on a minimum wage income led Cynthia's mom and her family to rely on others to help them get by.
"When guests come in to MOM, I completely relate because I've been there. Without organizations like MOM I would have gone hungry as a child."
Three Generations
"I enjoy the clients and volunteers I work with and the opportunities to give back. I started volunteering because my mom and son volunteered and they kept telling me some amazing stories. We've had three generations of MOM volunteers in our family." - Michele Joslyn
Tell Us your Story
What's your story? Has your life been affected by MOM's work in the community? Did poverty affect your life in a surprising way? Do you donate to MOM in a unique way or would you be willing to tell us why you make it a priority to give back to your community?
One of the best ways for us to explain the importance of MOM's work to End Hunger and Prevent Homelessness in our community is to hear and share your stories, in your own words.
Growing Community
"It's empowering to know that you can do something on your own, and not to be beholden to the grocery store or the food pantry. I think everyone should be able to take part in community gardening. It allows you to grow, be part of a community, think about food and where it comes from," says Jessica, a first-year client gardener.
Win, Win
It's a Win-Win situation! eCycle for Hope not only recycles your items (such as computers, monitors, printers, ink , toner, phones , batteries and more), but they will ensure that your products are recycled safely and remanufactured in the USA. Your cost? Just a donation of 5 cans of food or a donation of $5 given directly to a food pantry, such as MOM. What a great and creative way to support the community in more way than one.
Tanks of Thanks
Tom Thousand unselfishly drives Seniors to doctor appointments, errands, and other short trips. He also drives to local businesses to pick up donated food and transport it to our food pantry to help feed the hungry. Reliable and faithful, Tom has always been there for the clients at Middleton Outreach Ministry. In 2010 alone, Tom volunteered close to 330 hours. Tom's dedication to the elderly and hungry in our community truly makes a difference.
That weekly bag of free groceries can make all the difference.
Meet one of MOM's customers, as told to Wisconsin Life (produced by Wisconsin Public Radio in partnership with the Wisconsin Humanities Council). Listen to our guest candidly and bravely tell her story of what it's like living in poverty.
Giving Back through the Gift of story
Leslie is many things to many people. Mom. Wife. Partner. Actress. Teacher. Mentor. Yogi. From suffering debilitating health set-backs during her many years of acting, Leslie understands what it's like to struggle, adding to her sympathy and open heart approach to the work she and her production company do for MOM.
This past December, Heartline Theatricals, which she and her husband and writer Tony Reitano co-manage, produced the Live Radio Play "Young St. Nick: The boy who became Santa Claus" as part of the Home for the Holidays fundraiser.
Beating Hunger
The Canstruction display "Beating Hunger Day and Night" won first place for best Construction during the Good Neighbor Festival parade on August 28, 2011. The Van Haren family dedicated 85 volunteer hours planning and building the float/display for the parade. All the food used in the display (2,700 cans) went to MOM's Food Pantry.
A constant struggle
John and Jeff, two brothers who live with Jeff's four year old daughter, live in an apartment in our area. Both had full time jobs, but each had their hours significantly reduced until they could no longer afford the rent. After falling for a few months, they were issued an eviction notice. John and Jeff heard about MOM and hoped that we could help them with their hopeless situation. MOM helped them apply for a grant through the county that was enough to stave off eviction. John and Jeff were also approved for a Rent Subsidy which will assist them with a small grant over the next six months. One of MOM's case managers helped with employment search counseling which led to a job offer for Jeff - he started his full time job just last month.
A Hero with a Heart
The pocks of adversity she faces don't show through her sweet smile and selfless devotion. Her strength, dedication and faith eclipse any struggle. And every Monday morning since 2006, Anita Poehlman and her son, Curtis, pull up to the MOM distribution center, their car loaded with food donated from the local grocery store. They dutifully unload the bags and boxes, always bringing a warm "hello" without interrupting the bustle of the busy food pantry.
Though Curtis suffers from special needs and depends on Anita fulltime, she sought a volunteer opportunity that he could do with her. So Curtis rides with her for one to four hours every week as she transports clients to appointments around town.
Up Close and Personal
The DC manager recently gave a presentation at a local school. Afterwards, a girl very sheepishly told her that her family also uses the pantry and she "feels kind of embarrassed about it." She told her how her father always puts on his nicest dress clothing when he shops at the pantry so he doesn't "look" poor.
How can we erase her worries and fears? Food is something everyone needs. There is no shame in doing what it takes to provide food for your family and with so much excess food in the world, the real shame is to not share it with those in need.
Contributing to her health
This growing season, the Food Pantry garden has given several of our customers their own garden plots, complete with a volunteer mentor. Participants keep some of the produce, and give some back to the Food Pantry to share with others. Here is what one participant said about the opportunity:
"I like being in touch with nature and getting dirty and watching plants grow. I feel blessed to have my own dirt to bond with my plants.
I like the community effort we all pull together having the same mission and enjoy learning together. Community gardening helps build team effort and creates friendships.
And most of all, lots of great food is generated to eat and contribute to the MOM's food pantry which takes good care of so many families that don't have the luxury of gardening."
More than 3,000 of your neighbors rely on us to make it through the month.