Executive Director Cheri DeVries’ has rallied her friend Cindy Ryan to oversee the Mothers Helping Mothers (MHM) Pop-Up trailer, keeping it down in South County to run at least four times a month. She’ll partner with Pastor Larry Grant of the Awaken Outreach Center, ensuring that families thrive in South County. They both bring a wealth of experience in volunteer community service and faith-based outreach.
Larry discovered MHM through fellow Pastor Brian Zdrojowy, who praised the nonprofit’s commitment to provide essential support for families. Inviting MHM to collaborate with the Awaken Outreach Center, Larry brings resources to his neighbors and has been hosting the MHM mobile store on their food pantry site for 5 years now.
Cindy’s relationship with MHM is built on her empathy for struggling mothers. Passionate about offering support, encouragement, and practical life skills—all to mentor younger moms, she says:
Life is tough and some mothers are scared. Fortunately, my
family’s and friends’ support were pivotal. I know, firsthand:
it’s difficult to make it without that village.
Being able to offer life-experience advice, a hug, or item(s)
moms need to get through the week is deeply fulfilling. It’s
meaningful in a way that’s hard to put into words.
Cindy rekindled her relationship with MHM when seeking an opportunity for the women in her “Women’s Community Bible Study” group (endorsed as a community connection from Englewood’s Risen King Bible Church) give back to the community through mentoring the next generation. Cheri expressed a need to bring back the Pop-Up to North Port.
Cindy agreed:
Like opposites that attract, the North and South counties
have created a blended vision of a great magnetic force.
MHM’s main location is in North Sarasota. I live in
South Sarasota. Why not have fun networking our
efforts to expand the MHM mission’s strength to
increase support and South County focus?
Our interests aligned and visions have merged. I joined the
experienced MHM team of volunteers and began
to develop a freshly expanded South County mobile effort.
We’ve joined forces, like North and South magnets,
bringing life to a new South County mobile team.
Cindy’s Inspiration and Altruism Have Served Several Local Nonprofits
Relocating to Florida in 2019, Cindy began volunteering, reaching out to help under-resourced Sarasota County families and children. Donations were collected from three locations. She drove goods from one place to another, helping to share the generosity from the local community to where it would be best put to good use for free.
Having heard about various directors’ desires to expand into another part of the county, Cindy unselfishly invited executives and their spouses to her house for dinner and Q&A so they could network and share ideas.
Cindy learned so much that evening, saying, “It was fun listening to their wealth of experience to serve one another in their respective organizations, inspiring me to volunteer as the MHM mobile coordinator.”
Cindy’s Career in Education and Counseling Has Boosted Her Volunteering
Having received a Master’s in Education with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration and Counseling, she’s taught K-12 and worked as a college administrator. These professional positions and various community service-related volunteer roles have effectively provided hands-on experience for seasoned leadership in community service and events.
Larry Plays a Vital Role in Boosting the MHM Mission
As coordinator of the Awaken food pantry and director of the Outreach Center, Larry looks forward to the mobile Pop-Ups return to the Pantry:
Fully stocked with sized clothing and new equipment, it will
be available gratis to families with children on designated Shopping
Days. South County neighbors love shopping inside their
“boutique.” The trailer has also been known to bring relief
supplies after hurricane devastation.
Cheri and Cindy agree that Larry encourages and supports MHM, having helped with transporting the Pop-Up. “His friendship and shared goals and ideas are vital to supporting the South County mission. He welcomes the Pop-Up, saying that the more shopping offered, the better for our community.”
Larry Fosters a Productive Partnership, Enabling Cindy To Play a Vital Role As South County Coordinator
She continues to ensure that Mothers Helping Mothers will become a household name in her area through positive word of mouth that the organization’s presence is making a difference in the individual strength of moms and the community.
Cindy networks and organizes weekly volunteer teams for MHM Pop-Up Shopping Days. She also oversees seven volunteer team leaders to manage marketing, varied events, collections, distribution, and inventory.
Her vision is rooted in neighborly accessibility. “With the support of this new MHM South County extension, we’re seeking to bond collective efforts of local organizations, schools, services, churches, and volunteers serving young moms and families.
Larry and Cindy’s goal is to expand outreach into North Port, Englewood, and surrounding parts of South County, working closely with the Food Pantry and expanding to involve local churches and Community Centers.
Cheri says that Larry and Cindy are looking to find a convenient donation drop center for those deep in South County. “We’re grateful for a $5,000 grant from the Venice Golf and Country Club to support our efforts in continuing the North Port location and look forward to Cindy’s networking and teambuilding.”
Cindy responds:
We’re excited about connecting with the Sarasota MHM location.
Cheri’s expertise and vision, coupled with knowledge from
experienced volunteers, who are motivated and dedicated
to serve our local single moms and their precious children.
Partnering with Pastor Larry Grant, we look forward to the
mobile Pop-Up becoming a vital contributor for the community
on a much larger, active scale than in years past.
Larry welcomes MHM and strongly supports MHM’s expansion into South County. He says that the trailer has been serving 800 families annually. Community service has been expanded to six days a week. In 2025, 3.3 million pounds of donated food were distributed to South County deprived residents.
Spare Time Promotes Additional Caring About the Community for Larry and Cindy
Larry’s choice of pastimes speaks volumes: “I serve on the board of the People, Horse, Dog Program, a nonprofit supporting veterans, first responders, and those in the ministry facing trauma or PTSD.”
Last year, Cindy’s husband, Tom, and she helped establish a new church, Risen King Bible Church, reaching out to Englewood, North Port, Wellen Park, and Venice. When she’s not dedicating herself to community service and ministry outreach for women, she’s traveling with Tom, especially, to the blue waters and warmth of the Caribbean. Free time also includes hospitality, mentoring women, gardening, reading, and sharing time with her dog, Ellie.
The Robust Partnership Provides Mutual Rewards
Larry touts the joint venture: “This partnership helps ease our neighbors’ burden by providing essential items. I’m rewarded to see the gratitude on people’s faces when they receive needed assistance—in a respectful, empowering way.”
Larry oversees a wide range of programs, including health education, a free hot meal, household goods, and more—all designed to meet community needs.
He emphasizes:
Volunteering affects all—not just the people you serve.
When you shift your focus from yourself to others, it changes
your perspective, filling you with purpose. Helping all
strengthens our community—reminding us we’re all
connected—a most rewarding experience.
Conclusion
Cheri says, “Cindy and Larry help promote our mission of strengthening all families, enabling us to spread awareness and connect families to our resources. These collaborators help ensure that parents and children have access—no matter where they live.”
For the two partners:
The invaluable trailer transforms outreach into an experience
of choice, care, and dignity—meeting people where they are
—geographically and emotionally. More than logistics, it’s
about walking alongside those who are experiencing difficult
times—turning lives around.
Driving the MHM mission with fortitude, Cindy intends that the 24’ mobile store continues to offer hope. Larry’s torch will continue burning brightly.
