Caring
Works

Food Pantry

When: Every Monday

Time: Volunteers needed (click here for more info)
8:30 to 10:00 am (set up)
12:30 to 4:15 pm (distribution of food to guests)

Where: Abiding Love Fetter Activity Center

Ages 10 and up

The Food Pantry has greatly increased it outreach and is now serving an average of 35-80 families (over 300 individuals) each week. Our Food Pantry highly depends on donations from our congregation to meet these increasing demands. When items are picked up from the Capital Area Food Bank, there is an $80-$100 processing fee. The food received is cheaper but not necessarily free. If we have a processing fee to often, the Food Pantry funds will be depleted very quickly.

We do service some homeless individuals who have great needs, but most of our families are working hard to meet the basic cost of living demands. In many scenarios, our Food Pantry help stretch their supplies just enough to help them get through the month on very limited incomes. If you visited the Food Pantry, you would be surprised at the efforts put forth by most of the participants to support their families.

The families who use our Food Pantry are limited in the number of times that they can visit. We only give each family who comes three days worth of food. Unfortunately, our community outreach has increased in spite of these limitations. In order to keep up with the increasing demand, we are asking you to not only donate to our Food Pantry on Sunday, November 19th, but at least once a month whenever possible. If every church family would pick up one or two extra items for our Food Pantry when they visit the grocery store, our shelves would not become depleted each week and our handling fees from the Capital Area Food Bank would decrease. With the holiday season approaching, we want to be able to serve those families who need food as generously as possible. The Christian Service Board is asking each church family to prayerfully consider supporting this ongoing service project with Food Pantry items or monetary donations.

The Christian Service Board is also asking that you continue to donate new and gently used books. The children enjoy getting a book to read at home. As the holiday season approaches, the families will treasure the opportunity to give their child a book as a special gift. We also thank the Evangelism Board for providing Bibles for many of the families serviced.

The Food Pantry needs volunteers and welcomes your participation. Volunteers are needed every Monday from 8:30 to 10 am for set up and from 12:30 to 4:15 p.m. You will meet some special families and have an opportunity to share "God's Love" with our community. We welcome you to join in this special outreach project and ask that you contact Diane McGowan or Coleen Thompson to arrange an informal training session on how the pantry works and what volunteer opportunities are available.

Thanks, in advance, for your time and support. And don't forget to include our Food Pantry each month with a donation! Thanks so much!

Another Tapestry Event from Abiding Love Lutheran Church!