December 28, 2022

Verse 2...."Deck the parking lot trailer with boxes of turkeys and sweet potatoes... "...Fa-la-la-la-la...Thanks to the men of Fletcher United Methodist Church who withstood the frigid temperatures to distribute our Christmas meal items to our neighbors. Our annual Christmas meal included a turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, broccoli, muffin mix, rolls, and butter.

Manual Woodworkers of Hendersonville donated 180 blankets to our neighbor families and the Church of the Advocate. Several groups and individuals participated in the Advent Calendar Food Drive Donation. Third graders from VERITAS collected over 65 pounds of food. The High Vista Community accumulated over 160 pounds of food, and Nativity Lutheran Preschoolers donation weighed in at 285 pounds. Truly this is the season of caring and sharing.

Chef Martha prepared several yummy recipes, including black bean soup, to be aired on the WLOS Carolina Kitchen segment. Our neighbors are able to sample her recipes, and "shop" for the ingredients needed. Our Center of Hope cookbook will be available to our neighbors and to you soon. Just Scan the QR code and you will have a "Virtual Recipe Book!"

MANNA delivered over 5,000 pounds of food this week which included lots of fresh produce. The produce comes to us at no charge. Our neighbors will enjoy carrots, apples, onions, and sweet potatoes. After 144 individuals, representing 515 individuals shopped last week- this delivery will certainly make a healthy difference on Saturday and to our five new families we registered.

This week City Bakery donated bread. Other donated items were from Bright Farms, Bimbos, Wal-Mart, 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 (sweet potatoes and broccoli ), 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