SECC Disciples Women
&
Christian Women's Fellowship
Corner

Today’s column, Part II of the God’s Pantry Emergency Food Box Program (“EFBP”), will provide suggestions for us, as Disciple Women, and our congregation to support this project. God’s Pantry has given the following suggestions:

1. Give Food. We have been asked specifically to donate staples and protein items, such as peanut butter, powered milk, baby formula, baby food, canned meats, and macaroni and cheese. However, they will accept any food. One category is“extras” which is mainly items that don’t fit into the major categories and mothers especially appreciate. Who wouldn’t want to be able to have something special for their children, such as jello, pudding, or popcorn? Our church has a God’s Pantry food barrel available for donations. When it is full, they will pick it up and bring another barrel. If each member of a family or household in our congregation would bring an item every time they come to church we could collect over 10,000 items in a year. This also teaches our children the pattern of caring for others in need. Contact person: Linda Lancaster, EFBP – 288-5319.

2. Commercial food donations. Our service area contains many farmers, processors, distributors, brokers, warehouses, truckers, etc. who have useable food inventory and nonfood products such as paper goods, household cleaning products, disposable diapers that could be donated. Contact person: Peter Paterson, Operations Assistant – 288-5313.

3. Fresh garden produce. Have you canned more tomatoes and applesauce than you can eat in a lifetime? Do your friends pull down the blinds and turn off the lights when they see you coming with zucchini and eggplant from your garden? The EFBP would love to have fresh produce for their boxes. State and federal laws protect corporations and individuals who donate food in good faith from civil or criminal liability should such donated food later cause harm to a recipient. Contact person: Robert Srodulski, Food Drive Coordinator – 288-5330.

4. Donate money. God’s Pantry welcomes cash donations. These monies are used for fuel for the trucks that deliver the food to the 6 distribution sites as well as for fresh meat, eggs, milk, margarine and produce for the boxes. Many times these are not available for people. A $1 donation can purchase nearly $10 of food through their various purchasing agreements. God’s Pantry is a private, non-profit 50lc3 organization. It does not receive funding through the United Way. Mail contributions to: God’s Pantry, 1685 Jaggie Fox Way, Lexington, KY 40511.

5. Donate your time: Individuals and families (with children over 5) can donate their time to sort and pack the items for distribution. Or you might consider volunteering in the office. Contact person: Mandy Brajuha, External Relations Coordinator – 288-5324.

In Lexington we have people having to choose between food, utilities, rent, medicine and fuel for transportation to their jobs. Let’s all pitch in to help alleviate their hunger.