November 9, 2022

This week let's celebrate our outdoor team of volunteers. Until I walked in Dan's shoes, who distributes numbers on Saturdays, didn't quite get the accurate picture of his job. Last Saturday was the church Barbeque Dinner and while Dan was smoking pork on the grill with his comrades, he ambles over to the Pantry about 6:45 a.m. and passes out 40 numbers to our "neighbors" whose cars were lined up to the entrance. Did I mention it was dark, drizzling, and breezy? Dan welcomes the neighbors with various musical greetings and salutations. As Dan returned to the grill, I had the opportunity to walk in his shoes. Thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet and greet! Our carryout outdoor team were clad in ponchos and other rain wear..... that didn't let the rain deter them from getting the neighbors’ boxes and bags loaded. Thank you all for volunteering in all kinds of weather!

We welcomed 110 neighbors, representing 396 individuals, and eleven new families this past Saturday. Volunteers gathered on Thursday afternoon and harvested 51 pounds of collard greens from The Lord's Acre, our garden. Just a reminder we are composting in Bin #3.

We received donated items from Bimbos, City Bakery, Wal-Mart, Family Dollar, Bright Farms, Flavor-First, Bright Farms, and MilCo. Friday, our volunteers stocked the shelves with purchased items from MANNA, Sav-Mor, Ingles. Thrivent Financial awarded us a $250 grant for baby cereal and Boost. This will support our growing number of aging adults and our babies. Shopping locally we purchased items from Ingles ( meat), Sav-Mor (canned goods, milk, and eggs).

If you would like to participate in the Food Pantry Advent Calendar Challenge, you may stop by the Calvary Church Office or foyer at the Pantry and pick up a calendar, milk box or paper bag for your items. This Advent calendar is a food drive for the Pantry.

On behalf of the executive committee, thank you to our volunteers and our area churches, civic groups, local merchants, and families for all you do to feed our community helping to reduce food insecurity.

Kathy Noyes