Carpenter Realtors find unique way to donate to food pantry

Friday, December 4, 2009
Putnam County Emergency Food Bank President Judy Miller accepts the first of many donations collected by staff members from Carpenter Realtors. The group is passing out empty bags in neighborhoods and then going back to collect non-perishable food donations the next day. Judy Miller with the food bank stopped to talk with agents Michael Dean, Katrina Mullis, My Gilley and Connie Cooper about their effort. Not pictured are Patty Fislar and Clint Cooper.

GREENCASTLE -- Staff members from Carpenter Realtors have a new idea to help provide food donations to the Putnam County Emergency Food Bank. Realtors are canvassing neighborhoods and leaving behind plastic bags with a sticker asking for donations.

They leave the bags and go back the next day to collect them and deliver them to the food bank. The office also plans to be a drop off point for anyone wanting to make donations of non-perishable food items.

Judy Miller, board president of the Emergency Food Bank, hopes the new project taken on by Carpenter will have great results.

"We'll probably hit 12,000 or more meals served this year over last," explained Miller. "Just today, I had to go and spend $400 to restock some of our supplies. That's enough for about two days."

Carpenter staffers put out over 500 bags on Tuesday and headed back out on Wednesday to pick up food and money donations.

"We are going from one neighborhood to the next until we hit them all," explained Connie Cooper, Managing Broker at the firm.

"We do a lot of community service, including helping to sponsor the local Easter egg hunt. We decided to challenge our staff to support the food bank knowing how many people need help," said Cooper.

One of the problems for the food bank is the number of new food banks at local churches.

"The Emergency Food Pantry was originally developed by the local churches. The idea was there would be one central location for people to come when they had an emergency," said Miller.

Unfortunately, they go from pantry to pantry and get food from each one. There isn't a lot of control of what food is given out.

"That's hard at a time when so many people need help. The churches just want to find a way to help so many different groups of people. I don't want to turn anyone away because we run out of food," she added.

Miller told a story of a family with nine members all living in one household. The young woman who supports them walks to the pantry every week to get items.

"She came in just before Thanksgiving and got her supplies. She started crying, asking if we possibly had a turkey for her family. I didn't, but if I had any money I would have gone out and gotten her one," Miller said. "If anyone deserved a turkey, it was her family."

One of the problems with the pantry is that they don't always have freezer space. They were able to purchase one from Shuee and Sons at a very low price but they still need more freezer space.

"This time of year, people are thinking of giving but we need donations all year long. Carpenter's program will help us met some of that need," said Miller.

Carpenter Realtors is located at 320 S. Bloomington Street in Greencastle. Non-perishable food items with proper expiration dates can be dropped off at their office or call them at 653-2425. Monetary donations are also accepted.

The Putnam County Emergency Center is located inside the Senior Center Building at 9 W. Franklin St. in downtown Greencastle. They can be reached at 653-8606.

The Food Pantry provides free food to anyone requesting help. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

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  • I would like to buy the lady a turkey or ham for Christmas. Her choice. Any way to find her?

    -- Posted by thereishope on Fri, Dec 4, 2009, at 1:19 AM
    Response by Banner Graphic:
    Contact Judy Miller at the Emergency Food Pantry at 653-8606. She can help you. Thank you!
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