topic Re: Church food pantry/giveaway in Community Chat

Church food pantry/giveaway

simplyfriends — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 18:05:05 GMT

I've noticed one of our local churches has a weekly food pantry and they give away boxes of food as you drive up and drive off. It looks to be very organized with cars in line and volunteers helping. This past week when I drove by I saw 3 times the amount of cars in line, circled around the church. It was sad to see the number of people needing help to get by. It was also the 1st week of school.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

wilma — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 18:17:44 GMT

My church just started a food pantry over the summer. As word gets out, every week, more people come to get food and toiletries. Lots of people struggling to make ends meet. Very sad, but I'm glad people are trying to help others.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

simplyfriends — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 18:30:48 GMT

@wilma I'm glad there is help also.

My neighbor told me one of the senior centers had a table of free day old bread and pastries donated by Panera Bread. So nice!

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

tansy — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 18:37:04 GMT

The local food bank often hands out a list of the most useful items at the door of my market. I like getting suggestions.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

vermint — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 18:56:55 GMT

My church does this, but the person has to make an appointment. The number of requests has increased dramatically over the last couple of years!

We also have a clothes closet open on the same day, but no appointment needed for that--they get more clothes donations than they need!

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

nycalady — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 19:15:10 GMT

@simplyfriends @vermint @tansy @wilma

Good to keep in mind when making decisions

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

ciao_bella — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 19:28:40 GMT

There's a church nearby that has a food pantry located outside. It's a fairly large weather proof sort of shed and you can drop off items there anytime, or if you need to take any items, it's always there for you. There's a sign on the front that says, "take what you need.". Then once or twice a week the church has an inside pantry that you can pick up refrigerated items like milk, butter, etc.

I've dropped off many items there for those in need. It's a wonderful way of helping those in need.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

We rescue cats — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 21:41:07 GMT

We have had several roadside cupboards pop up, they are to "take what you need or leave what you can" they have non-perishables in them, pasta, boxed potatoes, canned veggies and meats, flour, sugar, cereal meant to take what one might need to make or complete a meal. The copboards are located all over the city.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

tiny 2 — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 23:06:43 GMT

@We rescue cats

We have those also. I do a couple of stocking trips a week, one with food and one with toiletries, diapers, toothpaste etc. We have a couple of retired gentlemen that post on next door to let everyone know which ones are empty.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

Zhills — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 23:42:22 GMT

We have a "fresh food for Seniors" give away and the ad says, "For all Seniors." They encourage participation for everybody!

We also have the "Blessing Box" program. Anyone can do it!

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

LuvSoCal — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 03:28:16 GMT

My parish has a food pantry also and I donate the first of every month. I especially hate the thought of children going hungry.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

Etoile308 — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 04:30:19 GMT

Past few weeks my church has also been collecting back to elementary school items. The school district has a list of what items will be needed for each grade. It sure adds up.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

drizzellla — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 06:18:28 GMT

Our church has a "Take what you need, Give what you can" cabinet in the church parking lot. It is so good to see how people respond. They requested school supplies and the shelves were filled.

They say it gets used alot. I believe it. No matter when I go to put stuff in, there is always different stuff.

Plus the church has a food bank. But that is only certain days and hours.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

Group 5 minus 1 — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 12:03:31 GMT

@drizzellla Our local library has one of those.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

CalminHeart — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 12:22:33 GMT

My church has a food pantry. It's open 4 days a week. There are always people waiting in line. The need is real especially in states that are cutting help for the poor. I'm happy to donate to it.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

Lakelife62 — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 12:38:54 GMT

My daughter organizes public food boxes for a charity in NYC. She's done this since the pandemic. This is not a new concept. Food banks are always busy and always in need of more. 4 years ago we were seeing miles of cars waiting to access food and every day supplies, like toilet paper and bread, cereals and canned soup. Millions had lost jobs, we couldn't travel and kids couldn't go to school. 4 years ago, anyone with a brain worried about getting sick and dying. People passed away alone in hospitals and nursing homes. The Dow dropped to a low point of 21,000. Its 40,000 today. How quickly we forget.

There will always be people in need regardless of the economic climate.

I'm thankful for the helpers.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

Sunshine Kate — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 12:48:18 GMT

It's great people are helping people in this manmade difficult time. Hopefully things will start to change very soon.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

We rescue cats — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 12:59:26 GMT

@tiny 2 That is great that someone lets everyone know which needs attention!

When I had the travel agency we had a collection box for the unused soaps and sundries that hotels always put in the rooms for guests. Over 75% of our business was business travel and the travelers would bring them in, everyquarter or so I took them to the Help Center, the Salvation Army or the Children's home. They really appreciated them.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

lynnie61 — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 13:25:39 GMT

So many struggling in today's economy. Our local new station also had fill the bus drives for school supplies. The response was overwhelming! I try to watch for sales, or bogos when shopping. I watch my store ads for great deals. I try to give monthly.

Re: Church food pantry/giveaway

ThinkingOutLoud — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 15:34:21 GMT

@Lakelife62 wrote:
My daughter organizes public food boxes for a charity in NYC. She's done this since the pandemic. This is not a new concept. Food banks are always busy and always in need of more. 4 years ago we were seeing miles of cars waiting to access food and every day supplies, like toilet paper and bread, cereals and canned soup. Millions had lost jobs, we couldn't travel and kids couldn't go to school. 4 years ago, anyone with a brain worried about getting sick and dying. People passed away alone in hospitals and nursing homes. The Dow dropped to a low point of 21,000. Its 40,000 today. How quickly we forget.
There will always be people in need regardless of the economic climate.
I'm thankful for the helpers.

First - apples and oranges

Second - Not everyone was worried about getting sick and dying (and it's been proven why it wasn't a concern for most)