MAUMELLE, Ark. — As the season of giving continues, a relatively new non-profit has been heading the call to help.
Maumelle-Philanthropists, a non-profit, is nearing its two-year anniversary, and with it, they have a special grand opening in the coming days.
The non-profit recently opened its first brick-and-mortar pantry which has been helping in its outreach.
From the ground up, members, directors, and even the board of Maumelle-Philanthropists are all unpaid volunteers.
Greta Gloston is the Co-Founder and Board President of Maumelle-Philanthropists and said it took a journey to get where they are now.
“We ran a food pantry out of our co-founder’s home until October of this year,” Gloston explained.
Gloston and her business partner started out doing just about everything. They ran the pantry out of a garage, cleaned houses for pregnant women, and delivered both furniture and groceries.
Then they realized there was more food insecurity than there were options for help.
“We decided to really centralize our focus,” Gloston said. “Trying to provide as much food as we can for people.”
Now that Maumelle-Philanthropists have a brick-and-mortar pantry their outreach has been growing.
“We are serving over 100 families a month already,” Gloston said. “That's upwards of 400 plus people that we're able to touch. We’re serving more and more families as we continue to grow here.”
Gloston explained that the non-profit outreach is for anyone.
”We serve a wide range of people, which is why we don't include a financial requirement,” Gloston added.
She also said she understands food insecurity firsthand and realizes that no matter someone's situation on paper, it doesn’t mean they don’t need help.
“There are so many instances where both parents work and it is just a real struggle out there to put a decent meal on the table,” Gloston said. “Sometimes it's just people in a season of need.”
She hopes to increase their volunteers, which in turn can help them, help more.
“We're here for anyone regardless of zip code, regardless of financial status,” Gloston said. “All you have to do is bring an ID, and we're going to serve you and your family.”
As Thanksgiving will soon be in the rearview, Maumelle-Philanthropists has already been looking at what’s ahead.
“We’re gearing up for a holiday season, rocking into 2024 able to serve more than we ever have,’ Gloston said.
While the non-profit continues to grow, Gloston said it would never be possible without their volunteers, donors, and sponsors, of which there’s a long list.
“Our sponsors for the grand opening, Anthony Otwell with State Farm and Bimbo Bread are amazing because we can pick up from them five days a week to serve this community to full capacity,” Gloston said. “Then there’s Arvest and Lions Club who recently donated turkeys, and of course Potluck Food Rescue keeps us going weekly with fresh produce.”
The organization's grand opening will be on Tuesday, November 28 at their brick-and-mortar location on 404 Edgewood in Maumelle.
“We are looking for donors, but we are also looking for those who are in need to let them know that we’re here,” Gloston said.