Lynn City Mission seeking donations

LYNN – One of Lynn’s longest standing social service organizations is seeking assistance during these economically unstable times.Lynn City Mission, founded 27 years ago by Muriel Chase, is run by unpaid volunteers and serves more than 350 city families, as well as hundreds more in their Missions across eastern Massachusetts.”We began 27 years ago serving 10 families a week and we were told hunger would go away,” Chase said. “We receive a lot of help, but because of the (economic) crisis we need more. We don’t want to have to turn people away, which has happened a few times recently.”Chase said she began in Lynn because it was a community that had many struggling people. While the Mission is church-related, she said it is not confined to any particular denomination.”Jesus said, ‘If you love me, feed my sheep.’ This is one of the religious mandates that you are asked to be concerned (with). You are your brothers keeper and this, we believe. We have participating Mormons, many Protestants, Catholics and Jewish groups. This is for everybody who is in need and anybody who is willing to help,” Chase said.She is asking that if community members have something they are able to contribute, such as money or food bundles, or know of additional resources, such as markets with leftovers, that they pitch in or lend a hand.”We receive generous help from the federal government, food supplies from the state from foundations, churches and individuals, but because of this crisis we are asking additional donors to call us,” Chase said. “We are tax deductible and people would know that they’re helping in hard times. It would be a good memory for them, a legacy, to know that you’ve helped in hard times.”Food typically included in the free bundles given to citizens who meet the federal requirements for assistance are vegetables, cereals, meat, eggs and tuna fish, as well as other foods that can be prepared at home. Chase said most of the food comes from farmer’s markets and area bakeries with leftover goods. Volunteers distribute the food each Saturday from 8-9:30 a.m. after prayer.”We have some volunteers who spend 25 hours a week lifting 25-pound sacks of potatoes and other frozen goods. People are really giving their lives to this mission,” Chase said. “One of them is Henrietta Cooper, who is a manger in Lynn, and Edna Howard, who directs pick up and transport of food from the food bank and other sources. We want to meet the crisis. We are in prayer and hope for the future.”Lynn City Mission is located at 10 Baltimore St. Anyone interested in donating or providing information about other helpful resources can contact Muriel Chase at 781-595-3602.