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j Food pantry a source of help in local families’ times of need
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a continuing series of articles about agencies and services supported by the United Way of Hancock County.
~ BY TRACI BONNEY If you’re facing a crisis and your pantry is empty, the Hancock County Food Pantry may be able to help.
In early 1986, a group of members from area churches met and made plans to open a community food pantry to provide food for families facing an emergency such as an illness or the loss of a job.
The Hancock County Food Pantry, a United Way agency,
"QUOTABLE QUOTES"
By Ellis C. Cuevas
The Hancock County Food Pantry is now averaging some 12 to 13 families a day seeking assistance.
This is an increase, according to Mrs. Ina Piazza, who reports that the Food Pantry has had an increase of
1,268 families over the previous fiscal year.
The Food Pantry, as many of you know, is an agency of the United Way of Hancock County and also receives support from area churches and private donations.
Apparently the number of deserving persons in our county is growing, ard this means the Food Pantry has to have more supplies to take care of the demand.
Those of us who may have little extra may want to consider making a food or cash donation to the Food Pantry.
The Food Pantry has no payroll, as all of the workers are volunteers, mostly from area churches.
The only expenses are for food items they purchase at reduced prices from several merchants.
The racent increase in numbers of deserving persons has really placed a drain on the organization’s finances, and all help will be greatly appreciated.
opened in May 1986. The pantry obtained a state charter, and the Civil Defense offered free quarters in its office on Old Spanish Trail. The Episcopal church made the initial donation to the new agency.
Food pantry president Ina Piazza said, “We don’t want anyone to go hungry; that’s why we started this.”
Now located in the old jail where Civil Defense has moved, the pantry is completely staffed and operated by volunteers from local churches. About 60 volunteers are associated with the pantry, and each church has a director of volunteers.
The pantry is primarily funded by individuals who are friends of the pantry, church members, clubs and organizations.
The churches help not only by supplying volunteers, but also by collecting non-perishable foods. In the vestibule of each church is a collection box for depositing the food. Each week the food and any cash donations collected are delivered to the pantry.
The pantry’s only expenses are the phone bill and food purchased to supplement the donations.
Piazza said applicants for food are required to bring a referral form from the welfare department. The applicants are interviewed by a vt anteer, and a four- to six-day supply of food and other items is bagged, according to the size of the family.
A standard list is used to packed the bags. Items given include peanut butter and jelly, canned meats, vegetables and fruit, pork and beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, soup, rice, beans, macaroni and cheese, flour, sugar, spaghetti, hand soap, laundry and dish detergent, and bathroom tissue. A bag containing bread, rolls and doughnuts is also packed.
The bread products are donated by local bakeries and stored in donated freezers.
Piazza said the pantry has doubled the number of people served since it opened. As of the end of September, the pantry has helpd 5,039 families, about
16,122	people.