September Greetings from Resurrection Food Pantry
August was quite an adventure for the pantry, with some exciting blessings and challenges.
One of the biggest blessings was receiving a new-to-us walk-in refrigerator, which essentially doubles our refrigeration capacity. This is a huge stress reliever. Through a grant connecting Wisconsin farmers with food pantries, we have been receiving cheese, fresh vegetables, and fruit, along with milk through a government program. Milk shipments have been around 400 half-gallons at a time—more than we previously had room to receive. With the new refrigerator, we can now accept these shipments while still having room for produce and cheese.
Even better, the refrigerator was excess equipment at a food bank on the west side of the state, and we received it at no cost. I truly believe God provided this refrigerator at just the right time so that we can better handle the food He is providing for us to distribute to His beloved people.
Getting the refrigerator to the pantry and installed was a major project for our volunteers. Many hours of planning, sweat, and effort went into it, but our volunteers were able to complete the work themselves, keeping our costs to a minimum.
The Pantry Garden is beginning to produce more, although we probably will not match last year’s production. Earlier this year, we were blessed to receive two grants that allow us to purchase food from Wisconsin farmers. These grants will help make up for the garden’s setback caused by the hailstorms earlier this summer.
Food continues to arrive at the pantry at a good rate from a wide variety of sources. Food comes in several times a week, and our volunteers respond as needed to receive and organize it. We purchase some food from farmers and grocery stores, while congregations and community supporters provide much of the rest. At times, other pantries even share food they have received in quantities greater than they can distribute.
We are also pleased to report that the pantry passed its annual reviews from Feeding America and the USDA TEFAP program. The only change required was a small update to our registration form. These reviews are helpful because they keep us informed about changes in procedures and requirements.
We continue to see some reluctance to use the pantry among members of our immigrant community. There is fear of encountering ICE when they are away from home. Please keep these families in your prayers. Living in fear is not an easy way to live.
Our home deliveries also continue to increase each month. Although we do not widely advertise this service, word is spreading. It is an important service for those who cannot come to the pantry, and the Pantry Board will soon discuss ways to improve our delivery process and reduce the long day it creates for volunteers.
Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and willingness to help us provide food to those in need in our community. We are grateful for the many ways God continues to provide for Resurrection Food Pantry.
Larry Peterson, Pantry Manager.
Items Particularly Needed
- Diced tomatoes
- Side dishes
- Meals in a can
- Jelly
- Pasta sauce (please, no glass)
- Soup
- Canned fruit
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