By Wendy Stone
Lisa Marie Sodano, Owner and President of the non-profit charity group “Loving Families in Need Matters – Hope For The Disadvantaged,” is calling out to our community for help. Sodano, who has previously been featured as Shore Local’s “Hometown Hero” and most recently, “N.J. Heartland Hero,” is asking for donations to help complete her charity’s latest mission: providing local boys and girls with back to school supplies. “Most of the [300] children will arrive on their first day back with little or no school supplies unless we help,” Sodano reports. The most needed items are Boy’s and Girl’s backpacks, pencils, erasers, highlighters, index cards, one subject notebooks, composition books, crayons, binders, loose paper, lunch bags, ink pens, folders, colored pencils, markers, glue sticks, pencil cases, rulers, water bottles, juice boxes and hand wipes.
Sodano’s charity was inspired by a disturbing sight she witnessed a couple of years ago. She was making her way into a local grocery store when she noticed an older man sitting on a bench outside of the store, weeping and bleeding. She watched as people looked directly at him and kept walking. “I was disgusted and appalled at how callous and uncaring people have become,” Sodano explained. “I knew something had to be done, so I said a little prayer and slowly approached the gentleman. I asked if I could sit next to him.” She listened to his story and learned that the man was a homeless veteran and that earlier that morning, two people had beat him, stole his belongings and set his tent on fire.
This story set a fire in Sodano. She knew she had to do something and began to reach out to numerous people, through letter writing, phone calls, social media, and getting everyone on board to help. She eventually found this gentleman a place to stay, but her work was just beginning. She started a Facebook group where she connected those who are struggling in our community with those who want to help. Years of Sodano advocating for individuals and families, especially those affected by homelessness, has taken a toll on her own health. She has recently been diagnosed with cancer and is having a harder time completing her charity’s goals. She has good and bad days, but will never give up fighting, especially fighting for others. However, she is realizing she may need more help than expected.
If you are interested in helping and would like to speak with Sodano, she can be reached on Facebook Messenger, through her charity’s Facebook group “Loving Families in Need Matter,” or directly at 609-432-0346. You may also drop of the needed school supplies to Lifegate Church at 296 Bethel Road in Somers Point, NJ.
