Hello Friends, 

It’s Ms. Marcella from The Mustard Seed Project. We are still here taking care of people, serving seniors and families with children in the most underserved communities. We now serve over 300 families per week, providing everything from food, clothing, furniture, mental health services, medical and dental assistance, vaccine clinics, and so much more. The goal is always to serve with dignity and respect. 

Our families have had a lot of loss this year; one of our children was lost to gun violence, and several others to incarceration. My soul grieves these losses and the future losses we will experience due to poverty and neglect in underserved communities and lack of access to educational opportunities. A recent survey states that in order to live in Durham, NC, you need to make at least $22 per hour. Many members of our families often work two jobs and still do not net $22 per hour. So what can be done?

It takes all of us standing together and giving what we can to help. We need your help to continue to be sustainable. We need to continue providing basic needs, but we also want to enhance the quality of life for our families. A big example is free summer camp for our underserved families. Camp gives children play time and educational opportunities where they can explore the world around them with field trips and speakers who look like them. With your help, we will accomplish our dream of having a vibrant and thriving community, where people have access to affordable housing, equitable healthcare, educational opportunities, and everything they need to pursue happiness.