April 2, 2025
We definitely put the "G" in "Gathering" as in our Gathering Room this week. Last Saturday our neighbors "gathered" around the display table to learn ways to "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right!" Linda W., a nutritionist, included handouts on the importance of hydrating, eating colorful vegetables, and exercising daily. We have a few handouts left if you missed the display. Our neighbors also gathered around the TV to learn about a new program called the Towel Ministry. This ministry offers assistance to our neighbors affected by the Helene Hurricane and who may have some repairs needed for their homes or debris removed. The Mills River Lions Club was also part of our "gathering" for eye screening. Jack Grant represented the club by screening neighbors and volunteers. The Lions Club also will assist neighbors in need of glasses.
Michael N., pantry volunteer, provided us with a cart filled with cereal. He was able to make available these items through a Thrivent Grant. Thrivent's unique combination of financial services and generosity offer a grant for their clients to give back to the causes they care about with outreach programs. We appreciate Michael selecting the pantry to be the recipient of such a generous donation.
Christ School students volunteer once a month during the school year. This past Saturday they assisted with shopping, carryout, sorting mixed cases of toothbrushes (adult-child), and “re-bagging" several huge boxes of hotel soaps. We appreciate the time they spend with us in the pantry and garden.
Deerfield Charitable Foundation held a "Volunteer Engagement Event 2025" on their campus. The Mission of their Foundation is "Nurturing Deerfield's Spirit" of generosity enriching the lives of residents and sharing their resources with people across Western North Carolina. Deerfield explores opportunities to serve the Deerfield residents and the wider community. The fifteen organizations represented on Monday night had a diverse range of missions they shared with the group. We were awarded funding for a second hoophouse which will prolong our growing season and produce fresh produce throughout the winter months. Maggie is our liaison at Deerfield and along with Jeff, Ray, and Alan shared information to the residents about our pantry volunteering opportunities. We are grateful to the Deerfield Charitable Foundation for the generous award to help our pantry alleviate food insecurity in our community.
On behalf of our Pantry Board, we express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous food and monetary donations to our pantry. Your donations will make a significant impact on the lives of those in our community who are struggling with food insecurity.
- Kathy Noyes, for the Executive Committee
News from The Lord’s Acre of Fletcher – Bees Return to LAF We will be getting two hives of bees (called packages, with 10,000 unrelated bees and a new queen). Many thanks to Mike Ward, Nativity member and experienced beekeeper, who will be managing the hives, which will arrive in a few weeks.
The hives are tucked away about twenty yards from our garden activity. While we may well see them about their work pollinating flowers and gathering nectar and pollen, they are not interested in bothering people. However, note that there is an electric fence around the hives that is intended to discourage curious bears, but it will discourage you as well if you touch it. - Doug Kearney, LAF Garden Manager
