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COMMUNITY
THE SEA COAST ECHO—SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1990-1B
Food Pantry
BY JANET MCQUEEN
Through the generosity of local citizens and their churches, needy families are provided with food five days a week through the Hancock County Food Pantry.
The community pantry has supplied a week’s worth of groceries to more than 3,800 families since its opening in 1986. More than 13,500 persons have received help from the United Way sponsored
Volunteers have provided £ for nearly 4,000 families si
agency.
Members from area churches are responsible for planning and opening the Food Pantry four years ago. A state charter was obtained and free office space was made available courtesy of Hancock County Civil Defense, at that time located on Old Spanish Trail in Bay St. Louis.
When the civil defense office moved to the former
location of the Hancock County Jail, the Food Pantry moved with them to more spacious headquarters.
A separate interview room allows food applicants to be questioned by a volunteer as to the needs of his family. Each applicant is required to bring a referral form from the welfare department, church or other charitable organization.
Bags are packe< according to the s the family, using dard list. Staple i contained include butter and jelly, c meats, vegetables fruits, pork and b tomatoes and tom sauce, soup, rice, macaroni and chei flour, sugar, spagl hand soap and lai and dish detergen
A bag containin