Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard's New Shed Will Help Their Goal of Serving the Needy

After raising more than $8,500, the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard in Ambler was able to install a large storage shed in their parking lot on Wednesday that will hold the furniture and clothing meant for needy people in Ambler and its surrounding areas. 

The cupboard, started by Ambler resident Mattie N. Dixon in 1973, has expanded its mission of feeding hungry people to providing clothing, counseling, financial assistance for utility bills, and more.     

The shed itself is 14 by 20 feet, pale yellow, with two floors and a brown roof.  “It was another milestone, another goal that I wanted to do,”  said executive director Christine Bouley.    

According to Bouley, the need for a shed came to mind when they decided that they wanted to use their indoor classroom as a place to teach community members in a life skills program, but the classroom was crammed with furniture that was meant to be donated.

Now that the dilemma of classroom space is over, the cupboard is free to plan the life skills program, which may be combined with a GED program.  Per Bouley, the programs might start next year.

The funds for the shed were raised by church donations, grants, and other contributions.  This year the cupboard was particularly needy.  According to the cupboard, the support they had received from the Montgomery County Commissioner’s office for five years dried up in 2012, and in June of this year they learned that the funds again would not be available. 

Consequently, the cupboard now has a $19,000 operating deficit for the start of the new fiscal year.  According to the cupboard they will continue to apply for grants and fundraise.  They need operating support and volunteers, said Bouley. 

According to the cupboard, each month they gain about 10 new families who need help, be it a need for clothing, food, or more.    

“We definitely want to thank the public and our supporters,” said Bouley.  “We appreciate every one of them.”

Click here for more information about the cupboard, such as volunteer opportunities and opportunities for tax-deductible donations.