September 13, 2023

You heard it first here! This year over a ton of produce was harvested from the garden and now over a gallon of raw honey extracted from our two beehives. Our honey is like other raw honey, it contains no preservatives and thanks to Doug, our Garden Master, it comes with an official LAF label, bee charm, and honey dipper.  Being on the "Quality Control Committee" has its perks! Yummmmmy honey!

 Need a check of your blood pressure or your blood glucose?  The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Interns Class of 2025 spent the morning at the pantry screening neighbors and volunteers. The Pharmacy Interns will return in October and will have flu vaccines available. Walgreens Pharmacy is a sponsor of these events. Other opportunities on Saturday included a Pantry surprise recipe prepared by  Chef Joe. This  family "surprise recipe " was offered to our neighbors to sample. Chef Joe also used some of the Panera-donated bread to spread a delicious sauce to accompany the veggie surprise dish.

 CECFP will be having our own Hunger Walk as part of the Henderson County Hunger Coalition 41st Annual Walk.  On Saturday, September 16 at 11:00 am we'll gather at the entrance to the pantry and walk to the garden and back. All are welcome to join us.  Arden Woods will be holding a Hunger Walk on Sunday, September 17 at 4 pm.  All are welcome to join in this walk, too. Another event happening this month is a "Pancake Breakfast" for our Neighbors on September 23 from 7-11 a.m. in our Parish Hall at the Church.

 We welcomed 125 families representing 500 individuals. Six new families had the opportunity to shop with a volunteer and select from the donations received this week.

We had lots of donations this week. Bimbos, Panera, and City Bakery filled our bread racks with bread and bakery items. Bright Farms donated 20 cases of salad kits.  Other donors include: LAF (tomatoes, beans. and peppers), Rotary Club (tomatoes and corn), Flavor-First (tomatoes and corn), Tractor.Farm (tomatoes, corn, potatoes, microgreens, peppers), Wal-Mart and Big Lots (misc items and food), Project Dignity (feminine products), Humane Society (dog/cat food), and MilkCo (milk).  Nativity Lutheran, Fletcher Methodist, Calvary Episcopal, and the Tabernacle of Praise Churches and other anonymous donors contributed their time, food, and misc. items during the week.

 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.  We thank you and appreciate your food and monetary donations.