December 14, 2022

Deck the Halls with....oops...."Deck the loading dock with tables of toys"...Fa-la-la-la-la...Thanks to the handcrafted toys by the Apple Country Woodcrafters of Hendersonville, donations from individuals, and Wal-mart...our neighbors left with toys for the young ones. Bob and Kathy Armstrong, members of the ACW, stopped by on Saturday as toys were being distributed. Along with the wooden toys there were also quilts, bears, and dolls that were sewn/quilted to accompany the toys. We are so appreciative of the time and talents of the crafters and sharing with our pantry.

MANNA delivered over 4.000 pounds of food this week which included lots of fresh produce. The produce comes to us at no charge. Our neighbors will enjoy cabbage, green peppers, potatoes, carrots, onions, and apples. After 142 individuals, representing 519 individuals shopped last week- this delivery will certainly make a healthy difference on Saturday and to our ten new families we registered. We will also distribute our annual Christmas meal, turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, broccoli, rolls, and butter.

Truly this is the season of sharing and caring. The Lutheran Church of the Nativity preschool program donated over 250 pounds of food. Thrivent, a Lutheran Financial Company, makes grants available to clients. Michael Neal, received a grant and challenged his church to fill his van with cereal. Before and after pictures attached will show you our empty cereal rack that is now filled with cereal. Thank you Thrivent for your philanthropic mission and Nativity for over a quarter ton of food you donated.

This week City Bakery donated bread. Other donated items were from Bimbos, Wal-Mart, Bright Farms, Flavor-First, and MilCo. Friday, our volunteers stocked the shelves with purchased items from MANNA, Sav-Mor, and Ingles. Shopping locally we purchased items from MANNA, JMJ Tomato Co (potatoes, onions, squash, zucchini), Sav-Mor (canned goods, milk, and eggs).

On Monday, January 2nd, 2023, we will be inventorying our pantry items. If you can help us from 9:00-11:00, email knoyes372@gmail.com. With approximately 12 volunteers last year, we completed the task in less than 2 hours. "Many hands make light work."

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