Food pantries still need help

Monday, December 1, 2008

The food pantry at New Providence Baptist Church normally serves a "solid 90 to 100 families each week," says Jim Rempe, who started the pantry 20 years ago.

On Nov. 25, it helped 137 families, or 456 people, have a decent Thanksgiving holiday.

"That was a record for us in one day," said Rempe.

To help make it possible, fifth and sixth graders at South Putnam Elementary donated 800 cans of food; First National Bank held a small food drive; Value Market gave 30 turkeys from an anonymous donor; and Kroger's Share Your Feast program.

Kroger employees sacrificed their Christmas exchange to provide eight turkey dinners complete with rolls.

"We are blessed," said Rempe.

This year the pantry has fed roughly 14,000 people -- most of them senior citizens. With the recent increase in job losses, Rempe had 20 new families visit the pantry last week.

It takes $12,000 per year to keep the pantry shelves stocked. Members of New Providence provide $5,000 to $6,000 each year in help.

It is the only pantry in Putnam County to receive government commodities, which is a three-month supply.

During Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, food pantries receive numerous donations. When July arrives, pantries hold faith to have enough to feed all who visit.

Hunger and need do not end after the holidays and neither should the help.

The New Providence food pantry is open from 9 a.m. to noon every Tuesday.

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