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Community Food Pantry Dates for Summer Distribution Days
All Saturdays
May 26 June 23 July 28 August 25
Items Needed: Paper Products, Diapers, Soap, Laundry Detergent, Donations, and Prayer
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ABOUT THE NEW FOOD PANTRY
from your Outreach Pillar Team
it's a long page, but full of information!
Who is Second Harvest Food Bank and why are we partnering with them?
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s Food Bank Network. There are five food banks in the state of Tennessee that are affiliated with Feeding America. The Food Bank provides food to hungry children, seniors living on a fixed income, individuals and families in need through Food Bank agencies. Northeast Tennessee counties served include: Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington. Population: over 475,000 Area: nearly 3,000 square miles
For more information: http://www.netfoodbank.org/AboutUs.aspx
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s Food Bank Network. There are five food banks in the state of Tennessee that are affiliated with Feeding America. The Food Bank provides food to hungry children, seniors living on a fixed income, individuals and families in need through Food Bank agencies. Northeast Tennessee counties served include: Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington. Population: over 475,000 Area: nearly 3,000 square miles
For more information: http://www.netfoodbank.org/AboutUs.aspx
Isn’t our current food pantry sufficient?
We estimate an average of 40-50 families per month visit the church office requesting some type of assistance; rent, utilities, transportation, housing, etc, with approximately half requesting food assistance (effecting approximately of 40-50 people). And the food assistance we are able to provide depends upon what is in the pantry at that time. By partnering with Second Harvest we can assist more families and keep our shelves stocked.
We estimate an average of 40-50 families per month visit the church office requesting some type of assistance; rent, utilities, transportation, housing, etc, with approximately half requesting food assistance (effecting approximately of 40-50 people). And the food assistance we are able to provide depends upon what is in the pantry at that time. By partnering with Second Harvest we can assist more families and keep our shelves stocked.
Who will receive our assistance?
To begin with, the families of children who attend Southside School and have been verified by the school officials as in need of assistance. The children will receive a voucher at school which they can bring to our food pantry. We estimate that this will be a total of 40 families. Also, we will work with our most immediate neighbors who are in need of assistance. We hope that in the future we can expand our “neighborhood” and serve a great number of those in need.
To begin with, the families of children who attend Southside School and have been verified by the school officials as in need of assistance. The children will receive a voucher at school which they can bring to our food pantry. We estimate that this will be a total of 40 families. Also, we will work with our most immediate neighbors who are in need of assistance. We hope that in the future we can expand our “neighborhood” and serve a great number of those in need.
How often will the food pantry be open?
To begin with, once a month on Saturday. Typically 10:00 am until Noon 
When did we start?
Saturday, February 25th |
Where will the food pantry be located?
In the conference building which is being called the Annex. |
Will people still be able to receive assistance at other times?
Yes, we will still keep some food available in the current food pantry (located near the church office) so that we still help people on an as needed basis.
Yes, we will still keep some food available in the current food pantry (located near the church office) so that we still help people on an as needed basis.
Will we get all of our supplies at Second Harvest or will we still be asked to donate to the food pantry?
We will get non-perishable food items from Second Harvest. So the congregation will still be asked to contribute paper products, cleaning supplies etc. |
Will Second Harvest just give us the food?
Not exactly. When we “shop” at Second Harvest we will give them 14₵ a pound for food. That means that we can get 40 pounds of food for $5. And 40 pounds of food will feed a family of 4 for one week.. |
What about milk, eggs, meat?
To begin with, we will have only non-perishable food items (and paper products, cleaning supplies etc.) to distribute. We hope to be able to purchase refrigerators and freezers in the very near future so that we can distribute perishable items. In the future we hope to be able to distribute USDA food goods.
To begin with, we will have only non-perishable food items (and paper products, cleaning supplies etc.) to distribute. We hope to be able to purchase refrigerators and freezers in the very near future so that we can distribute perishable items. In the future we hope to be able to distribute USDA food goods.
How can I help?
There are many ways for you to help. If you can’t fill one of the jobs listed below, we need your prayers. And, of course, monetary contributions will always be helpful.
There are many ways for you to help. If you can’t fill one of the jobs listed below, we need your prayers. And, of course, monetary contributions will always be helpful.
Can you fill one of these roles?
Shoppers: Shoppers will go to Second Harvest Food Bank in Gray once or twice a month (as needed) to pick out the food we needed. You will need to make an appointment (it’s not like going to Food City!) but you can set your own schedule. Shoppers will have to attend training at Second Harvest before shopping by themselves. (You can go with someone who has already completed the training.) The training is offered the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 10:00 a.m.
Transporters: Transporters will accompany the shoppers to Second Harvest, help load the food into vehicles and deliver the food to FUMC. Vehicles have to be covered. We can use the church vans (remove the back seats); but you will need to be on the “I can drive the church van” list.
Unloaders: Unloaders will be needed to move the food from the vehicles into the food pantry room. Depending upon the vehicle used, unloaders may need to be available on shopping days (when personal vehicles are used) or may be able to unload at their convenience (when the church van is used).
Stockers: Stockers will be needed to stock the shelves and keep them organized. Stockers should be able to set their own schedules.
Boxers/Baggers: Boxers/Baggers will put together the boxes or bags for each family. We’re still working out the best method. Boxers/baggers can set their own schedules but will be needed before each distribution day.
Greeters/Registration: We need smiling faces to greet the clients and make them feel welcome on the days of distribution. We will also be maintaining a database of those we serve so we will have a very short registration form that the greeters will help with.
Distributors: These folks will be inside the food pantry room and will give the food to the clients.
Inventory/Clean up: At the end of each distribution day, we will need to “take stock”, see what supplies we have given out and make a shopping list for the next time.
Data Entry: We will have a database of clients, a database for our food inventory and a database of our FUMC members who have agreed to serve. These databases will need to be updated every month.
Please contact:
Polly Crowder 737-0116 Ptc2@charter.net
Serena Crowder 833-1544 stitchwoman@gmail.com
Peggy Humphreys 282-3540 peggylweemes@aol.com
Transporters: Transporters will accompany the shoppers to Second Harvest, help load the food into vehicles and deliver the food to FUMC. Vehicles have to be covered. We can use the church vans (remove the back seats); but you will need to be on the “I can drive the church van” list.
Unloaders: Unloaders will be needed to move the food from the vehicles into the food pantry room. Depending upon the vehicle used, unloaders may need to be available on shopping days (when personal vehicles are used) or may be able to unload at their convenience (when the church van is used).
Stockers: Stockers will be needed to stock the shelves and keep them organized. Stockers should be able to set their own schedules.
Boxers/Baggers: Boxers/Baggers will put together the boxes or bags for each family. We’re still working out the best method. Boxers/baggers can set their own schedules but will be needed before each distribution day.
Greeters/Registration: We need smiling faces to greet the clients and make them feel welcome on the days of distribution. We will also be maintaining a database of those we serve so we will have a very short registration form that the greeters will help with.
Distributors: These folks will be inside the food pantry room and will give the food to the clients.
Inventory/Clean up: At the end of each distribution day, we will need to “take stock”, see what supplies we have given out and make a shopping list for the next time.
Data Entry: We will have a database of clients, a database for our food inventory and a database of our FUMC members who have agreed to serve. These databases will need to be updated every month.
Please contact:
Polly Crowder 737-0116 Ptc2@charter.net
Serena Crowder 833-1544 stitchwoman@gmail.com
Peggy Humphreys 282-3540 peggylweemes@aol.com
