Wednesday Word: Food Pantry Needs
Friends -
October is one of two months each year when St. Thomas provides extra support for the Wynnton Neighborhood Network food pantry. WNN is a ministry of eight Jewish and Christian congregations which we are blessed to host at St. Thomas. It is the only food pantry in Muscogee County open five days a week. They serve 25 households per day. They added hours on the 1st Saturday of each month as a way to serve working families.
WNN and all food pantries are dealing with a critical situation at the moment. Supplies of surplus food are down. There are many reasons - diversion of food to victims of wildfires and hurricanes, continuing supply chain issues, war in Ukraine which affects the supply of grain around the world, and more. Sadly, while supply is down, demand is up. WNN has seen a large increase in the number of families seeking food assistance this year. The pictures below were taken on Monday. As you can see, the shelves are pretty bare.
In the past, the best way to help WNN was to donate money. They used to be able to purchase surplus food from Feeding the Valley at 19 cents per pound - far cheaper than the grocery store. Currently, Feeding the Valley has very little available to purchase. WNN is relying almost completely on shopping and donated goods. Thanks to our St. Thomas Shoppers who take turns shopping for WNN, now two shoppers each week. Our Shoppers are a huge help!
You can help, too. Throughout the month of October, we'll leave grocery carts in the narthex on Sundays. As you shop during the week, as you are able, please bring food items to share. A list of items they need every week is below. They are also collecting items for the holidays - cranberry sauce, brownie mix, canned yams, evaporated milk, chicken broth, cornbread mix, stuffing, instant potatoes, and pumpkin pie mix. In addition to Sundays in October, we'll receive an offering of food at Trunk or Treat on October 30.
Thank you for supporting WNN in the ways you are able.
Blessings -
Grace
Tags: Voices / News / Outreach / Serve / Wynnton Neighborhood Network
