August 14, 2024
News from the Pantry – August 10, 2024
The pantry garden continues to be a valued supplement to our fresh vegetable offerings. Current plantings are now yielding abundant harvests. So far in August the garden has yielded 409 pounds to our current year to date total of 2,389 pounds. Garden volunteers have worked continuously to create this high-quality fresh organic produce. They are rightfully proud of their accomplishments and get positive feelings from being able to offer food that they have produced themselves.
On August 10th we served 112 households comprised of 410 individuals. We welcomed 9 new households and 32 new individuals. Through May we were averaging 129 households per week; the current average has declined to 125 per week. Through 32 weeks we remain slightly ahead of 2023: Households are up 4% and individuals served increased 7%.
Responding to client requests, we added an additional electronic number calling sign about 6 weeks ago. It is located outside near the middle of the building. This furnishes clients waiting outside with additional information about where they are in the intake queue. The additional information has been well received.
The pantry continues to be blessed by the many dedicated volunteers. Their generous gift of the many, many hours they give is invaluable. We are grateful for the Tuesday “Manna Delivery Day Crew” the Friday “Shopping Preparation Crew ”, the dedicated “Lord’s Acre Gardener Crew” and the Saturday “Shopper Assistance Crew”. Thanks to each volunteer!
Recently, some of us were able to watch video tapings of Chef Martha preparing three meals and one dessert – yum! These tapings are aired on the noon news program on WLOS (Chennel 13). Chef Martha uses ingredients generally available for distribution in the pantry and often does live presentations and tastings for waiting clients on Saturday mornings. Both as a TV personality and volunteer she is a valued ambassador for the pantry.
We continue to recognize and thank partner churches, community members, civic organizations, schools, retirement communities, donors, foundations, and all who have contributed in some way to this ministry of service to those experiencing food insecurity.
Breaking News! “Save the Date” for the Garden and Pantry Volunteer Picnic on September 5 at 6:30. More info to come – stay tuned.
For The Executive Committee,
Fred Yopps, fyoppscecfp@gmail.com
News from The Lord’s Acre of Fletcher – August 13, 2024
Garden and Pantry Volunteer Picnic, Thursday, Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m. As a "thank you" to our pantry and garden volunteers and supporters, we'll gather around the new fire pits for hamburgers and hotdogs, fixings, lemonade and beer, AND a sampling of our own garden's "Mini Love" watermelons (if they hold out). Please come, and bring a chair.
God is entirely and personally present in the wilderness, in the garden, in the field. --Martin Luther (Luther, Protestant Reformation theologian--and sometimes agitator--was not himself a gardener (though he was not above begging for seeds in letters to others), but his beloved wife, Katerina, was a near constant presence in her garden, raised beds built around a central well, in the early 1500's where she grew vegetables and herbs for her large family and frequent boarders.)
-- Doug Kearney, Garden Manager
