Friend, Inc. Fall 1997 Newsletter


PANTRY --- MORE THAN A BOX OF FOOD


The Northeastern Berks Food Pantry is run by Friend, Inc. the third Thursday of each month when all families who qualify arrive to pick up a box of food. The amount of food depends on the number of people in their family. To qualify for the Pantry, people need to show proof that their income is at 150% of poverty or less. These federal guidelines are given to us by the Greater Berks Food Bank. Approximately 79 families pick up pantry food each month, with an average of 244 total people. A typical box contains a variety of canned fruits/vegetables, meat products, pasta, cereal, personal care items, etc. This box of food may not supply meals for more than 2-3 days, but it certainly can be a start to getting a family back on its feet. The families have always been very appreciative of any food we can supply them. Local churches, Rodale, and nearby gardeners and farmers bring fresh fruits & vegetables for the clients during the summer months. Two area churches have supplied the young children with brand new books to help keep up their reading skills until the Fall. Pantry simply could not take place without the help of our volunteers. Each month the Kutztown Lioness, as well as other community members, arrive the morning of Pantry day to pack all the boxes for that night’s distribution. Another crew arrives that night, to help load the food into the many vehicles. During the month we rely on a variety of different volunteers to re-stock the pantry shelves, and prepare for the next pantry. Approximately 60% of the food that comes into the Pantry is covered by government funding. However, Governement money only lasts up to 6 months. The rest of the year, the fate of the pantry is dependant upon local donations. We receive money for the Pantry from the regional Crop Walk. Many local churches, organizations, and individuals provide us with much needed food donations. The First National Bank of Fleetwood delivers the results of their food drop off containers. We look forward to large events such as the annual Boy Scout, East Penn Manufacturing, Kutztown University Residence Halls, and Postal Workers food drives. Because Friend, Inc. has its fingers on the pulse of the needs of our neighbors struggling with poverty, we receive requests from creative donors who wish to give more than food. In this past year, we distributed the following: · coats and blankets collected and cleaned by Kelchner’s Cleaners; · new books collected by St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kutztown and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fleetwood; · clothing vouchers to obtain free clothing from Trinity Lutheran Church, Kutztown and St. Paul’s UCC, Fleetwood; · Reading Phillies tickets from CarTech; · Fall Hay Ride from East Penn Manufacturing and CarTech; · Christmas Cheer gifts of new toys, new clothing, turkeys, and holiday food boxes from numerous community donors; · blankets, baby supplies, used toys in excellent condition; · notices about furniture and appliances.

The Northeastern Berks Food Pantry is run by Friend, Inc. the third Thursday of each month when all families who qualify arrive to pick up a box of food. The amount of food depends on the number of people in their family. To qualify for the Pantry, people need to show proof that their income is at 150% of poverty or less. These federal guidelines are given to us by the Greater Berks Food Bank.

Approximately 79 families pick up pantry food each month, with an average of 244 total people. A typical box contains a variety of canned fruits/vegetables, meat products, pasta, cereal, personal care items, etc. This box of food may not supply meals for more than 2-3 days, but it certainly can be a start to getting a family back on its feet. The families have always been very appreciative of any food we can supply them.

Local churches, Rodale, and nearby gardeners and farmers bring fresh fruits & vegetables for the clients during the summer months. Two area churches have supplied the young children with brand new books to help keep up their reading skills until the Fall.

Pantry simply could not take place without the help of our volunteers. Each month the Kutztown Lioness, as well as other community members, arrive the morning of Pantry day to pack all the boxes for that night’s distribution. Another crew arrives that night, to help load the food into the many vehicles. During the month we rely on a variety of different volunteers to re-stock the pantry shelves, and prepare for the next pantry.

Approximately 60% of the food that comes into the Pantry is covered by government funding. However, Governement money only lasts up to 6 months. The rest of the year, the fate of the pantry is dependant upon local donations. We receive money for the Pantry from the regional Crop Walk. Many local churches, organizations, and individuals provide us with much needed food donations. The First National Bank of Fleetwood delivers the results of their food drop off containers. We look forward to large events such as the annual Boy Scout, East Penn Manufacturing, Kutztown University Residence Halls, and Postal Workers food drives.

Because Friend, Inc. has its fingers on the pulse of the needs of our neighbors struggling with poverty, we receive requests from creative donors who wish to give more than food. In this past year, we distributed the following: · coats and blankets collected and cleaned by Kelchner’s Cleaners; · new books collected by St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kutztown and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fleetwood; · clothing vouchers to obtain free clothing from Trinity Lutheran Church, Kutztown and St. Paul’s UCC, Fleetwood; · Reading Phillies tickets from CarTech; · Fall Hay Ride from East Penn Manufacturing and CarTech; · Christmas Cheer gifts of new toys, new clothing, turkeys, and holiday food boxes from numerous community donors; · blankets, baby supplies, used toys in excellent condition; · notices about furniture and appliances.

PANTRY --- MORE THAN A BOX OF FOOD

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