January 17, 2024

Some folks may have a viewpoint about Number 13.... might be lucky, unlucky or just another number. For us at the Pantry, we believe this past Saturday, 13th was a sign of how much the volunteers enjoy opportunities to work, meet new friends, and share volunteering time with family members. Christ School students assisted in many ways including unloading, weighing and shelving food from a SUV filled with donations of food as part of a High Vista Chili Cook Off and Food Drive.  My niece, Neal, and six of her friends met in Asheville for a long weekend. Part of their weekend plans were to spend the morning helping at the Pantry. Several volunteers were families who wanted to share in an activity together. Several high students worked toward requirements of service hours for high school graduation. Many thanks to one and all!

 The rest of our week was not idle. Chef Martha prepared appetizers for a segment on WLOS, Carolina Kitchen.  She prepared tasty treats for Super Bowl Weekend.....Pork sliders, vegan salsa and cornbread. Members from Walnut Cove volunteered on MLK Day of Caring. They spent the afternoon, changing out all our shelf item labels with food labels in three languages, English, Hispanic, and Ukrainian. Time permitted for them to assemble bags for young "neighbor children" to use while they wait for their families time to shop. (Numbers 1-10, alphabet, and food sheets to color) 

 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.