
400 Letters, One Mission: Making Room for the Families Still Waiting
My wrist hurts—but the families waiting are worth every note and signature.Right now, 2,419 families are on our waiting list at The Store.
That number doesn’t feel abstract to me. It’s not just a data point—it’s a responsibility.
So this week, I sat down and signed over 400 letters, each one with a handwritten note. Each one going out next week with an update on our capital campaign.
It took about a day and a half. And it was a labor of love.
Our staff and volunteers were also a huge help with the stuffing and hand-addressing. As I wrote, I recognized so many names—long-time champions who’ve been with The Store from the very beginning. And new supporters just getting involved. It reminded me: behind every envelope is a person who believes in what we’re building.
And inside each letter is an invitation—to help us make room for the families still waiting.
We’ll also be sharing updates through email in the coming weeks, with blueprints, timelines, and stories of what’s ahead.If one of those messages finds its way into your mailbox or inbox, I hope it stirs something in you.
Not urgency, but clarity.Not pressure, but possibility.
Not just giving, but engagement.
Engagement in a movement where dignity, hope, and choice are the real outcomes—and where 2,000+ families are counting on us to keep going.
With over 2,400 families on The Store’s waiting list, every signature, envelope, and handwritten note becomes more than a task—it becomes a promise. In this behind-the-scenes look, we share how a stack of 400 letters is helping move a capital campaign forward, one personal connection at a time.
More from The Store

As We Grow, So Does the Responsibility to Stay True
As The Store continues to grow in response to rising food insecurity, a deeper question continues to guide the work: how do you scale without losing the culture that makes it meaningful? In this reflection, we explore the intentional steps our team is taking to preserve dignity, connection, and shared purpose - ensuring that as we expand, the heart of The Store grows with us.
Read More
Showing Up: How Volunteers Are Powering The Store’s Growth
When The Store opened its second location, the need for volunteers doubled overnight - creating both a challenge and an opportunity for the community to step in. In this reflection, we share how a growing network of dedicated volunteers, partners, and organizations is helping meet that need, shifting from urgent calls for help to a steady rhythm of support. It’s a story about what happens when a community chooses to show up - and the impact that follows.
Read More