Non-food pantry serves local needs

Friday, October 15, 2010
Volunteers at the non-food pantry at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church include, front from left, Emma Hendrickson, Therese Robinson, Dyjan Martinez, Gavin Kimmel; middle, Daniel Johnson, Alyssa Ball, Arian Warf, Jacob Campbell, Brod Robinson; back, K.C. Lofton, Harriet Watson, Mary Mountz and Daniel Cummings. Courtesy photo

GREENCASTLE -- In March of 2009, the non-food pantry opened its doors at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church to serve the needy of Putnam County.

The non-food pantry provides all the products used by a family on food stamps that food stamps do not pay for. These include paper products and items used in the bathroom, for laundry and for house cleaning.

In the last 19 months, this community outreach has helped over 2,000 families, and in the summer months served more than 600 meals.

None of this would be possible without the community support from the Putnam County Community Foundation, Extension Homemakers Club, Curves members, Girl Scouts, the foundation's Youth Philanthropy Committee, the children of the Summer Enrichment Program and the many generous students attending DePauw and area high schools. Thanks are also sent to Wal-Mart and Kroger for their help.

Each month since the pantry opened its door, three key youths have dedicated hours to the success of the program -- sisters Alice and Rebecca Moore and Alex Davis. Over the 19 months the pantry has been open, these three have been there to help sort and pass out the products, but to also coordinate the filling of the bags days before they are handed out.

Having the help from these young people and the numerous support groups is what has made this project successful.

The non-food pantry was the inspiration of Mary Mountz, and with the support of St. Andrew's, it has become a great success and has touched many lives.

"When I first came up with the idea, little did I realize the scope of the diversity of all the wonderful helpers," Mountz said.

On Oct. 20, Monical's is having a community day for the non-food pantry on which they will donate 20 percent of each bill to aid the non-food pantry.

The pantry also invites everyone to enter its Autumn Fest Golf Scramble at Windy Hill Country Club on Oct. 24. Early registration is $55 for a team of two people and $110 for a team of four. Registration forms can be picked up at many stores around town and at St. Andrew's.

Anyone with questions may contact St. Andrew's at 520 E. Seminary St. or 653-3921. There will be food and drinks provided with registration the day of the event starting at noon.

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