Elsa Wani is the MY Family Pantry Outreach Coordinator - and so much more. She’s a dedicated volunteer who has poured her time, passion, and energy into ensuring the Pantry not only survives but thrives, helping thousands of individuals every month. For Elsa, the true reward isn’t financial—it’s the fulfillment she gets from making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. This spirit of selflessness and dedication is the foundation of our volunteer network.

Elsa’s commitment is a shining example of the heart and soul of MY Project USA. Volunteers like her, who give freely of their time and energy, play a critical role in keeping our pantry running smoothly. Over the past 10 years, it’s thanks to Elsa and countless others like her that MY Family Pantry has served over 500,000 individuals in our community.

But volunteers can’t do it all—our programs rely on funding to keep going. This #GivingTuesday, we’re asking for your help. Your donation can help us close our $200K budget gap, ensuring that our pantry and other vital programs remain operational and continue serving those who need it most.

Together, we can keep the Pantry’s doors open and continue supporting our community. Every contribution counts, no matter how big or small. Let’s come together to make sure that we can continue to provide food, resources, and hope to families in need. 

Isha’s journey with MY Project USA began at just 16 years old through our MY Reading Warriors program. Over the years, she has grown from a youth participant to a leader and mentor, inspiring many along the way. A few months ago, Isha’s world was shaken when a tragic gun shooting left her 5-year-old daughter injured and hospitalized. In the aftermath, with the support of the MY Project USA community, we helped Isha and her children escape the trauma they were facing after the shooting in Wedgewood and start fresh in a safer environment.

This #GivingTuesday, we invite you to donate and help us continue supporting young mothers like Isha—empowering them to overcome adversity and build a brighter future for their children. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

What is MY Project USA's Impact on the Community?

Give Back to the Community This Giving Tuesday

Over the past 10 years, MY Project USA has invested $45 million into our community, providing essential support to families in need. Our dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to deliver vital programs, but due to our heavy reliance on TANF grants, we are facing a cash flow crisis that causes frequent pay delays for our staff and vendors. Despite these challenges, our commitment to the community keeps us moving forward.

While all of our programs are currently funded, we need $200K to keep our food market and free community warehouse open through 2025. Without these funds, we will not be able to serve the over 700 families that come to us weekly through MY Family Pantry and MY Deah's Warehouse, which provides food, clothing, furniture, and other essentials to those in need. These programs are lifelines for thousands of families, many of whom live 200% below the poverty line and rely on our pantry as their primary food source.

This #GivingTuesday, we need your help to keep these services running and continue our mission to support those who need it most. Your generous monthly donation can make a real difference in the lives of so many. Join us in transforming our community—getting people back on their feet, one family at a time.