September 7, 2022

Labor Day, a holiday, that was celebrated this past Monday got me thinking about the "labor" at the Food pantry, garden, and all the wrap round responsibilities required each week for a successful distribution of food. On behalf of the Executive Committee, will you join us in recognizing the 50+ volunteers it takes each week to provide the "client choice model" where we offer a variety of foods within a special category. Our pantry volunteers are from local community churches, schools, agencies, friends of friends, and philanthropic groups.

Volunteers are needed on Tuesday biweekly to prepare the site for MANNNA delivery usually 3000+ pounds. They lift cases of food items and place on shelves by category. Monday through Friday donations are received, weighed, and placed on shelves for Saturday distribution. Produce is delivered throughout the week and must be refrigerated and/or shelved. Volunteers pick-up bread, milk, eggs, and some purchased items from SAV-MOR. Thursdays evenings are garden care and harvesting. The garden requires other maintenance during the week for watering and harvesting. Fridays are repacking and stocking shelves day. On Saturdays, distribution day, a minimum of 31 volunteers are needed. In three hours this past Saturday, we served 109 families, representing 346 individuals, and registered seven new families.

Volunteers are essential each week in helping to reduce food insecurity in our community. Our accomplishments are vast because of people like you who are willing to be part of the pantry family. You, (our reader), too can be part of the inherent joy that we sense each Saturday. Come visit us.

Just a reminder about the Annual Hunger Walk of Henderson County on September 17. If you would like to participate in the Hunger Walk, information is in the sign-in room at the Pantry.

Donations this week were boxes of Spring Mix lettuce grown at Bright Farms in Etowah. The Rotary Club donated corn and MilkCo provided several boxes of milk. Flavor-First donated corn and tomatoes. Ingles contributed buns and rolls. Potatoes, bread, and English muffins were donated by patrons. Tractor.Food and Farms delivered apples, bok choy, micro greens, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, jalapeños, mint, ginger, mushrooms, parsley, sweet peppers, kale, and chard . Shopping locally the Pantry purchased milk, eggs, and onions.

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.

Kathy Noyes