FREE
MOMS
at NCSU

What kind of woman walks onto a major university campus armed with nothing but a pound cake?

 

Well . . . umm, that would be Nancy Nelson-- "OG" the kids call her-- the Original Free Mom. 

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That was four years and a whole pandemic ago.

 

Operating under the conviction that something had to be done for today's young people, she had thought, dreamed, prayed, and asked for a sign. 

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And she finally got it: a literal sign that said "Mother Nancy". It showed up in her windshield at the exact moment she needed it.

 

Nancy and a handful of other

Free Moms worked under the radar, weathered Covid 19, and faithfully loved on a couple hundred college kids every week.

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Then the FALL OF '22 happened. 

 

Word got out. And out. And OUT.

 

By winter break, there were 60 volunteer moms signed up. 

By Easter, there were a hundred more. By spring semester of 2024, over 70 volunteers were serving up a Thursday afternoon Love-Fest to over 2000 NC State students that included Free Moms, Dads, Dogs, Hugs, Music, Birthday Songs, Flowers, Listening Ears, and the occasional Horse.

 

They put out a smorgasbord of home-baked goodies that would put Dunkin Donuts to shame. And yes, Nancy kept bringing her pound cake. 

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While all this was happening, the university was going through a crisis that propelled the Free Mom movement into the national spotlight. Sadly, some eight, ten, or dozen students lost their lives in that one school year, most at their own hand. A grief-stricken community looked for answers, looked down on the lawn . . . And found Free Moms handing out unconditional love, a shoulder to cry on, and words of encouragement.

 

The Moms certainly didn't plan it that way, but the media made the connection, and spread the word all over town, and all across the country.

 

Partly because of that, Free Moms are popping up on university campuses all over-- as of this writing, on 8 campuses in 4 states.

 
The mission is so simple, it's contagious:

 
Show Up.
Love Kids.
Bring Food. 
NO AGENDA. JUST LOVE.

 

Ya wanna start one yourself?

 
You know all you need to know. Just follow that tug in your heart.

You might consider this a sign.

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To check out the Free Moms website, click here: www.NCSUFreeMoms.org