Neighbors Helping Neighbors Feeds, Educates During Pandemic

LOWER MERION, PA — Muneera Walker was working on the U.S. Census last year when the coronavirus pandemic hit. Not long afterward, she saw her neighbors struggling to feed themselves and their families and the former general contracting business owner sprung into action.

Walker, already an avid volunteer, launched Neighbors Helping Neighbors On the Main Line, a nonprofit group originally focused on food insecurity in Lower Merion. Since March 2020, the group has delivered food weekly to 60 families in Lower Merion Township and another 50 in Philadelphia.

They have expanded in Montgomery and Delaware counties and have plans to soon start up in Bucks County.

Walker also has added what she calls "another tentacle" to the organzation — E Squared (Excelling in Education). Through it, about 50 students have gotten free virtual help with their school work from a pool of educators, parents, grandparents, high school students and others.

"As horrific as this time is for our nation and our world, I'm grateful that the shift toward virtual is actually helping me help the students in ways that I probably would not have thought of," Walker said. "You always get some good with the bad."

Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the Main Line is funded primarily through private donations. Other groups, including a local food pantry, have donated food to the cause.

"My goal has always been to elevate the opportunities and stature of our Black and Latinx communities in Lower Merion," Walker said. "They have suffered disparities from the past that require strategic work and a lot of energy to correct. Neighbors Helping Neighbors is my opportunity and our opportunity to heal our community."

Kumar Natarajan and Rob Purdy, volunteers with SCORE Bucks County, worked with Walker on things like grant funding, insurance coverage, business planning and more.

"Muneera has found a very successful strategy and is most definitely meeting the needs of the communities," Purdy said.

Recently, the nonprofit, which has about 20 regular volunteers, has expanded to offer a VS3, Virtual School Sensory Support Program, which provides free sensory items, such as wobble cushions and fidgets for people with special needs.

Walker said that, while her initial goal was to feed the hungry, she wants the group to adjust to any needs her community may have.

"The main focus is to assist families in any way they need in order to help them rise up," Walker said. "Neighbors Helping Neighbors is all about helping each family and each child however they need help."

To donate, volunteer or learn more about Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the Main Line, visit the group's website.

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know of a local organization that should be profiled, contact doug.gross@patch.com.

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