From the Desk of Letesha Nelson

Dear friends & neighbors,

March 17, 2020. That was the first day of our drive-thru food pantry – something we had expected to last a few weeks, maybe a month. As you know, we ran our food pantry as a drive-thru for more than a year and a half.

I wasn't yet a part of the Goodman community when the center closed its doors because of the pandemic, but I've heard the stories of our staff jumping into action to make sure our community had what it needed in those early scary and uncertain days. And in the last year, I've witnessed the ways our staff continued to pivot to adjust to the ever-changing horizon of a global pandemic.

I also heard the stories of your generosity. Our fundraising team was frequently brought to tears by the notes you all left as you made generous donations online. Our staff felt your support, even though we had to be apart. They knew you had their backs.

We're getting served up with more darkness every day, aren't we? The situation in Ukraine is devastating. The struggles our youth and families are facing here at home are heartbreaking. Things feel bleak.

Let me tell you why I still have hope, even as the world pummels our most vulnerable with challenge after challenge. I get to see goodness happening here at the Goodman Center every single day. I watch our staff face challenges with strength and determination, and I see you doing the same. When we need you, you rise to the occasion. That's community.

I hope you'll take some time to read about our fundraiser for Girls Inc. of Greater Madison. In a world filled with darkness, this program is a light for young girls and female-identifying youth in our community. And if you have a few dollars to spare, I hope you'll consider making a gift. We could all use a little more good in our lives.

Take care,

Letesha Nelson, CEO & Executive Director