PCF assists Putnam, Cunot, Clay County food pantries

Thursday, March 8, 2012
Putnamville Correctional Facility release coordinator Sarah LaRoche (left) and food drive coordinator Cara Rush (second from left) donate to director Judy Miller, vice president Francis Washburn and Mavis Broadstreet of the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry.

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF) has donated 1,267 food items and a total of $1,322 to the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry, Cunot Community and Senior Citizen Center and Clay County Emergency Food Pantry.

With Feb. 1 marking the beginning of the facility's Hoosiers Helping Hoosiers Food Drive, PCF staff members were challenged to donate five non-perishable food items each. They were enticed with gift cards, prime parking spots and the wearing of blue jeans or ball caps.

For those who forgot to bring food donations, monetary donations were accepted. In less than a week, more than 300 items had been collected.

"Staff never cease to amaze me with their generosity and their willingness to help others," Putnamville Supt. Stanley Knight said, "My sincere appreciation goes to all staff that contributed to this important cause."

By the end of February, the PCF staff had exceeded its goal, making Tuesday's donations and food distribution possible.

"Way to go!" event coordinator Cara Rush emailed to staff members. "We've collected 1,267 food items and a total of $1,322!"

The facility was able to make the monetary donations due to the generous contributions from staff, the Purposeful Living Unit Serve offender program, the Employee Recognition Committee and contributions from the Facility Community Fund.

On Tuesday morning, offenders loaded a vehicle for deliveries. Rush and caseworker Sarah Laroche delivered 422 food items and a monetary donation of more than $440 each to the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry, and the Cunot and Clay County facilities.

On behalf of the organizations, Directors Judy Miller of the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry, Roy Acton of Cunot and Ruth Haas from Clay County extended their thanks and appreciation for the donations.

Roy Acton of the Cunot Food Pantry accepts a donation from Cara Rush, coordinator of the Putnamville Correctional Facility food drive.

"We were really hurt when our budgets were cut," Cunot's Acton noted. "This will help us feed 150 to 160 families for one month. We really appreciate what you've done for us over the past several years."

Miller and Haas assured the Putnamville staff that every donation helps.

Canned meats, vegetables and fruits, cereal, bread and butter are always needed, they said, expressing a particular need for food donations from the middle to the end of the month.

Many families use the food pantry to help supplement their budget, as halfway through the month many run out of both money and food.

The Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry is open 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the old Skate Place building (first door on the left) at 620 Tennessee St. in Greencastle.

Those interested in making a monetary donation are asked to use P.O. Box 423, Greencastle, IN 46135.

For more information, persons may call the Food Pantry at 301-4431 or Director Judy Miller at 721-6228.

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