Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need

NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2025

Celebrating Five Years of Feeding Families

Join Us for our High Five Celebration!

It’s incredible to think that five years have passed since our first food drive, and it's time now for us to celebrate our shared work of feeding families, supporting our schools, and strengthening our community.

You’re invited to join us for the first of 5 events on March 16 from 2:30 – 4:30 PM at Community House Middle School - Ballantyne Families' High Five Celebration: Five Years of Feeding Families!

It’s an interactive, family-friendly event filled with gratitude, inspiration, and fun. Here’s what you can look forward to:

✅ Special Recognition & Celebration – Hear stories of impact, honor the people who make it all possible, and enjoy a sweet ending with cake!

✅ Encouraging Notes Station – Write messages of support to the families we serve.

✅ Pantry Tours – Step inside the space where food is gathered weekly and given with love to families in need.

✅ Scavenger Hunt for Good – Engage with different stations to learn more about the impact of Ballantyne Families.

✅ Giving Trees – Choose your favorite Ballantyne area school and help sponsor a family for the summer with a simple QR code.

✅ Experience the High Five Photo Booth & Gratitude Wall – Share what giving and receiving means to you.
✅ Art Competition Display – View inspiring artwork from our community, celebrating five years of making a difference.
✅ Fun Zone – Enjoy face painting and a live DJ.

Please join us in celebrating, reflecting, and being inspired—because together, we are feeding hope and strengthening families.

All are welcome.🎉RSVP today and be part of this wonderful day! 🎉 https://evite.me/BFHighFive

#HighFiveCelebration #FeedingFamilies #CommunityMatters #FiveYearsStrong

Here are just a few of the heartfelt words from families recently receiving food assistance through Ballantyne Families. Your generosity continues to make an impact.

"Gave me hope." "Provided us with food when I had no idea how I would work it out." "Helped me feed my babies when I couldn’t do it on my own."

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our mission. Can’t wait to celebrate what we’ve accomplished together at our High Five Celebration!

Thank You!

Heather and team

Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need

Heather@ballantynefamilies.org

PS – Make sure to check out our video – www.ballantynefamilies.org/why-we-help-video

Pantry Update

We are thrilled to celebrate 5 years of Ballantyne Families Feeding Families on March 16th! We hope you’ll join us for this special occasion to learn more about our organization and celebrate the incredible hard work of many volunteers that has brought us to where we are today.

One of the highlights of the event will be Pantry Tours! During the celebration, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for a guided tour of our pantry, where you’ll get an inside look at how everything operates. Our tour guides will walk you through the process of receiving, filling, and delivering orders, giving you a firsthand experience of how we serve our community.

We can’t wait to see you all!

Sincerely,

Erin, Tammy, and Sheilah

Food Drives/Partnership Update

We are excited to recognize all of our community partners at our High Five Celebration on March 16th! There are many groups we will recognize that have partnered with us to hold food drives for our pantry! We hope you can join us to celebrate and learn more about getting involved!

Thanks, Lauren Rosenbaum

Volunteer of the Month

LAURA MCCLUER,

Congratulations on being selected Volunteer of the Month for

Ballantyne Families!

We asked Laura to share why she likes to volunteer for Ballantyne Families:

"I love Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need's mission to support those facing food insecurity in my own community. Volunteering with the wonderful people in this organization is a true blessing, allowing me to use my professional skills and time to make a meaningful impact. It brings me so much joy to help local children and their families have the nourishment they need to grow, thrive, and build a brighter future"

Thank you so much for all that you do for our organization, Laura! You have made a difference in our community and we are grateful for all your help.

What's Next

March 3 - 7 - School Social Worker Appreciation Week
March 16 (Sunday - 2:30 - 4:30 pm)– Ballantyne Families’ High Five Celebration - Celebrating 5 Years of Feeding Families in the cafeteria of Community House Middle School. To RSVP: https://evite.me/BFHighFive
2nd of 5 events celebrating our 5 year anniversary:

Poverty Simulator Participation Experience: A poverty simulator is an immersive experience designed to help participants understand the daily challenges faced by families living in poverty. Through interactive role-playing scenarios, participants navigate real-life situations such as securing housing, managing food budgets, accessing healthcare, and handling unexpected financial crises—all within a limited income. These simulations provide a glimpse into the difficult decisions and trade-offs that millions of people face every day.

Why Participate?

Develop Empathy – Experience firsthand the struggles that low-income individuals and families endure, fostering a deeper understanding of poverty’s impact.
Raise Awareness – Gain insight into systemic barriers that make it difficult to escape poverty, helping to break down misconceptions.
Inspire Action – Discover ways to advocate for policy changes, support community programs, and contribute to meaningful solutions.
Encourage Collaboration – Work with others to navigate challenges, fostering teamwork and community engagement.

A poverty simulation is more than just an exercise—it’s a powerful experience that can change perspectives and inspire action toward social change.

Poverty Simulator with Crisis Assistance Ministry in the Community Room of Morrison YMCA.
- March 18 (Tuesday - 9:30 - 11:30 am)
- March 20 (Thursday - 6:30 - 8:30 pm)
- To RSVP go to: https://tinyurl.com/2025BFPovertySimulator
Information about additional 3 events will be shared as we get closer to dates

Thank You

Thank you to our amazing School Counselors who partner with us by identifying families in need and then distribute the support. They’re a critical component of what makes Ballantyne Families successful! We’re grateful for their help and support and thanked and celebrated them during School Counselor Appreciation Week (February 3 - 7) with a basket of goodies. Thanks to the following stores who kindly donated to make our “thank you” baskets: Trader Joe’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes (Marvin) and Sunflour Baking Company.
- Our school counselors are: Nicki Elkins (Ballantyne Elementary), Amber Brown (Elon Park Elementary), Taletha Williams (Endhaven Elementary), Mary Bleich (Hawk Ridge Elementary), Jeannine Roulette (Knights View Elementary), Melissa Stevenson (Polo Ridge Elementary), Kristin Gartner (Rea Farms STEAM Academy K-8), Valerie Johnson (Community House Middle School), and Lisa Smith (Jay M Robinson Middle School)
A special thanks to the team who put this appreciation together and helped deliver: Julie White, Susan and Brooke Hicks, Lauren Rosenbaum, Jackie Gyoerkoe, Lisa Hunt and Heather McAfee.

Volunteer Signup

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14023 Lissadell Circle
Charlotte, North Carolina 28277
USA