For immediate release

Contact:  Martha Macris 832.768.1503
Houston, TX – August 8, 2010 -Remember your first day of school?  You probably had new shoes, new clothes and a new backpack. It was a great beginning for a new school year. Many kids in Spring Branch ISD don’t have that chance. Their families can’t afford the items necessary for a successful new school year.

56% of the students enrolled in Spring Branch ISD schools qualify for subsidized school lunches.  For a family of four, household income can be no more than $28,665per year ($13.78 per hour). Of the 16,725 elementary school students in SBISD, 9366 qualify for help.   In 2009, MAM raised $85,000 to dress 2,725 Spring Branch ISD children in new school clothes and the Assistance League clothed another 2,500.  That leaves more than 4000 children whose parents have to make some tough decisions.  We want every child to have the clothes they need.  MAM’s goal for the 2010/2011 school year is to raise $120,000 and send 3,425 children off to school on their first day feeling great.

School counselors, nurses or social workers give MAM clothing vouchers to families whose children qualify for the free/reduced school lunch program. The vouchers are restricted to school clothing at local stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, Fallas Parades, and Fiesta. Parents can go shopping for their children, choose the appropriate clothing and pay at the register with the MAM voucher.  The stores then bill MAM directly.  If you would like to clothe a child for school,  you can donate through MAM’s website www.helpherehelpnow.org.  Just click on the donate page and go to Back to School for more information.  We thank you and so do the children.

MAM aims to send 3,425 kids back to school dressed to learn -
Area churches already making plans for collections

Houston, TX – June 10, 2010 - Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) is kicking off its 27th annual Back-to-School (BTS) drive to help elementary and middle school children meet their Spring Branch Independent School District’s dress code. In order to help families in need receive assistance to purchase required pants, shirts, socks, underwear and belts for the 2010/2011 school year, MAM asks individuals and organizations to make donations online or via mail by August 31st. Online donations can be made at www.HelpHereHelpNow.org; mail-in donations can be sent to MAM, BTS Drive, 1625 Blalock Rd, Houston TX 77080.

MAM, through the help of its 29 member churches, was able to clothe over 2,700 students last year and plans to assist at least 3,400 this year. The Back-to-School program provides families with limited means, with clothing vouchers that can be used at local stores such as Target, Walmart, Fallas Parades and Fiesta. As in years past, MAM will accept donations from the community and work with its member churches to collect donations that make a valuable difference to families living in the Spring Branch area. As one Spring Forest Middle School social worker put it, “Your thoughtfulness enables children to start school on a more even playing field.”

Visit MAM’s website at www.helpherehelpnow.org to give a donation online or to find out more information about the Back-to-School program.

MAM’s member churches include Chapelwood United Methodist, Christ Evangelical Presbyterian, Christ Memorial Lutheran, Crossbridge Christian, Emmanuel Episcopal, Holy Spirit Episcopal, First Baptist Spring Branch, First Congregational UCC, Grace Community, Holy Cross Lutheran - ELCA , Houston Mennonite, John Knox Presbyterian, Memorial Drive Baptist, Memorial Drive Christian, Memorial Drive Lutheran, Memorial Drive Presbyterian, Memorial Drive United Methodist, Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic, Pines Presbyterian, Spring Branch Presbyterian, St. Andrew’s Lutheran, St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic, St. Cecilia’s  Catholic Community, St. Christopher’s  Episcopal, St. Francis Episcopal, St. Mark Lutheran, St. Thomas Presbyterian, Tallowood Baptist, and Terrace United Methodist Church.

(4/30/10) A Taste of Spring Branch Beats Expectations

- Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) held its Taste of Spring Branch event on Sunday, April 25th. The event raised more than $4,000 for emergency assistance such as: rent and utilities, clothing and food, job search and transportation. Attendance reached higher than expected with over 300 happy folks savoring the many flavors of the Spring Branch and surrounding areas. The Memorial High School Jazz Trio set the mood for relaxation and eating comfortably.

The event sponsors Spring Branch District, Amegy Bank and New Spring Center for Business Nurturing all had representatives in attendance enjoying the range of foods under the big tent. Councilwoman Brenda Stardig, Houston City Council District A, also attended and said to Martha Macris, MAM executive director, “I am so glad MAM did this. This is the kind of event that shows the true picture of Spring Branch.”

At no cost to MAM, 17 restaurants, including Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church Food Service Ministry, served a wonderful selection of their best foods. The restaurants were Abuela’s Fonda Mexicana, Ashland House Restaurant & Tea, Blue Planet Cafe, Gelato Blue, Genghis Grill, Guadajara Hacienda, HEB, Hollister Grill, Korea Garden, Lefse Ladies Olde Towne Kolaches, Polonia, Russo’s Pizzeria and Seoul Garden. Guests ate paninis, empanadas, BBQ ribs and sausage, red beans and rice, chicken and beef bulgogi, kolaches, tamales, pozole, rice bowls and noodles, penne pasta and sausage, seasoned vegetables and salads, chocolate and Italian Cream cakes, strawberries and cream, chocolate-dipped pretzels and lefses, a soft Norwegian flatbread. Silver Eagle Distributors provided at a discounted cost their newest beers for sampling: Bud Light Lime and Bud Light Golden Wheat.

“We’re proud to have shown our supporters, neighbors and friends the fine diversity of dining in the Spring Branch area,” said Macris. “Our attendees sampled Korean, Polish, Italian, Mexican, New American, Mongolian and Norwegian foods, all under one big tent. The event reflected the true make-up of the Spring Branch area: rich with cultural cuisine.”

Twenty-seven bottles of wine were donated to MAM to support their fund raising efforts in a Wine Pull component. It sold out in 30 minutes and raised $540. The MAM Resale Store sold over $600 worth of goods. “We made many new friends. I’m so glad we had it here,” said Macris about the location on MAM grounds at 1625 Blalock Road. Plans are in place to have just as much fun next year.