The Zion UMC Emergency Food Pantry continues on in its fourth year of service to our community.  We are blessed to be able to serve our neighbors in need with the generous giving of our congregation, grant monies from the Operation Rice Bowl Grant, varied donations from CHOW, and recently the “free” day shopping event at the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank.  During these two “free” days we were able to acquire 2,000 pounds of FREE food!  ONE TON of canned goods, cereal, rice, pasta, macaroni and cheese, and various other items we brought back to fill our pantry.  We focused on canned goods as they cost us the most due to the weight of the item. This alone saved us hundreds of dollars and continues, along with YOUR help, to keep the pantry balance sheet in the black.  Remember that the first Sunday of the month is Food Pantry Sunday and your donations to this mission are accepted at the rail during communion.

     Since the beginning of the year we have seen a decrease of the number of families attending our pantry.  One theory is that our church sign has been down for close to a year, and the other theory and hope is that some of our clients have found jobs and are able to sustain their families without additional help.  Whatever the case, we find ourselves in a situation where we are now able to supply our original base box to two different sizes of families.  Originally, we served a box of food for a small family of 1-3 persons, and a larger size box to a family of 4-6.  When supplies got tight and our numbers increased we were forced to decrease EVERY family to small box.  It was heartbreaking to serve a family of 4-8 with a box of food for a family of 1-3.  BUT, we felt grateful to be able to give a good, solid box of food to each and every family that entered outdoors.  During the tight supply time, the Food Bank was unable to supply meats.  That has turned around and we are now able to buy frozen meats for our clients at the standard price of 19 cents per pound!  We continue to acquire FREE bread and other items from the Food Bank each month. 

     The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank is the only Feeding America food bank in the nation that still serves individuals.  Starting October 1, 2010, the FAFB will serve only pantries like ours.  This is good news for us as it will free up some grocery supplies that have been prohibited for us to buy in bulk.  The other news is that those individuals will now seek other means and we expect our numbers to increase.  No matter what, we know that this mission will continue to be a success because of our call to serve the Lord and the continued support from you!  THANK YOU!

     Our doors are always open for new volunteers.  If you feel led to help as a food pantry volunteer, please contact Christine Braxton at christineb45@yahoo.com or you can just show up on the third Thursday of each month at the fellowship hall around 2:30!           

 

Christine Braxton, Food Pantry Coordinator

If you would like further information please contact Christine Braxton at christineb45@yahoo.com.