Northwest Assistance Ministries is celebrating 40 years of giving back to the communities of Northwest Houston in 2023.

Originally formed in 1983, NAM was founded when 10 interfaith congregations in the Northwest Houston area decided to collaborate on assistance programs in the community.

Today, the nonprofit has grown into a multiprogram social service agency that strives to meet basic human needs by providing assistance with food, shelter, health, education, safety and financial education through a “neighbors helping neighbors” philosophy.

According to the organization's website, 3,500 NAM volunteers completed 44,109 hours of service in 2022, which enabled the organization to:

• provide emergency basic needs for 31,914 clients;
• serve 32,260 clients through its Joanne Watford Nutrition Center;
• serve 1,195 homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels; and
• provide assistance to 388 survivors through its Family Violence Center.

To kick off its 40th anniversary, NAM will host a luncheon March 28 at 11:30 a.m. featuring a conversation with Houston business owner and philanthropist Jim McIngvale, also known as "Mattress Mack" of Gallery Furniture. The luncheon will be presented by the NAM Endowment Fund Board at Shirley Acres, located at 217 Woerner Road, Houston.

NAM's facility is located at 15555 Kuykendahl Road, Houston. 281-885-4555. www.namonline.org