"Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land."
                                                 Deuteronomy 15:11

    I. Overview
   II. Pantry Information
  III. The Garden of Feedin'    
   IV. Thanksgiving Food Baskets
    V. Christmas Food Baskets
    VI. 30-Hour Famine
   VII. Souper Bowl of Caring 
 

I. Overview

   2008 marks the Valley Food Pantry's 20th year of continuous service to those in need in our Valley.
   558 visits were made to the Pantry in 2007, including 41 for Easter, 43 for Thanksgiving, and 44 for Christmas.  That's a total of 7490 visits by 256 different families since the Pantry opened in June, 1988.
   Christ UCC, Christ Lutheran, Conyngham UMC, and St. John Bosco share the rotating duty of running the Pantry, which relies on the continuing monetary support and food donations from all the Valley churches.  Special support comes from: the Souper Bowl of Caring collection; offerings from Lenten, Harvest Home, and the community Thanksgiving Eve services; Church Women United; several Vacation Bible School, Sunday school, and youth group projects; the Human Food Chain (see photos); and other groups and individuals from the various churches.
   The Pantry also received the following community support in 2007: the Cub/Boy Scouts' Scouting for Food Drive; several Girl Scout troops; the Drums and Valley Elementary/Middle Schools; Kiddie Kollege Nursery School; the Valley Kiwanis; the Valley Lions; the Valley Lionettes; Conyngham and Drums TOPS; Gould's Shursave; Drums American Legion; Valley CVCO; Sugarloaf Golf Course; Jackie's Deli; Valley Great 8 Race; Dr. Rowena DeJesus, Chiropractic; Knights of Columbus; Valley Vets.   Monetary donations are used to buy in bulk to restock the Pantry and to purchase holiday food gift certificates for Christmas and Easter.  The Valley Kiwanis, together with Gould's Shursave, have purchased our Thanksgiving certificates every year since the Pantry opened.

II. Pantry Information

   location     -     Sunday School Building at Christ United Church of Christ
                           (460 Main Street, Conyngham)

   eligibility   -     Persons seeking Pantry assistance must be referred by
                           a Valley clergy person.  (See "Directory" link on website.)
                           Privacy is strictly protected.  If your financial situation has
                           changed recently because of the national economic crisis
                           and you find yourself in need, you are welcome at the
                           Pantry, but we do ask you to obtain a pastoral referral.

   open          -     Every Thursday by appointment.  Please call Pantry co-                           chairs, either Carol Rarick (788-2409) or Billie Shaffer
                           (788-4199).

   donations  -     Monetary donations or non-perishable grocery items (esp.
                           toiletries and cleaning products) are welcomed.

III. The Garden of Feedin'

   The Garden of Feedin' is a 20 x 20 plot located to the right of Christ Lutheran Church on Main Street in Conyngham.  While the four churches on Main Street are primarily responsible for taking care of the garden (each week of the month a different church will be responsible), everyone and anyone is welcome to help.  If successful, the plot will be enlarged next year.  All produce goes to the food pantry.
     Anyone interested in helping with planting, weeding, watering, and (eventually) picking may contact Ron Burger at 474-2220 (work) or 788-5892 (home). 

                                              Carol Rarick and Billie Shaffer
                                              Co-chairpersons of the Valley Food Pantry

IV. Easter Food Baskets

    Once again in 2010, the Food Pantry will be distributing Easter food baskets.  We are requesting members of each of the participating churches to contribute specific items, as follows:
        St. John Bosco Catholic Church - coffee
        Good Shepherd Catholic Church - gravy
        Conyngham United Methodist Church - canned fruit
        Christ United Church of Christ - pickles
        Black Creek United Methodist Church - mashed potatoes (package)
        St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Drums - quick bread/roll mix          
        Christ Lutheran Church - snack crackers
        Conyngham Valley Bible Church - tea bags
        St. Johns United Church of Christ - candy
        St. Johns Lutheran Church - frosting

    We will need at least 60 of each of the above items.  Anyone contributing 
any of these items should bring them to the drop-off at their church by
March 21.  In lieu of canned or packaged goods, monetary donations are also welcome.

     Thank you for your participation in this worthwhile project, which attempts to assist those in need.  Blessings to all of you.

                                                         Carol and Billie

VI. 30-Hour Famine

     This year's 30-Hour Famine will be held at Black Creek United Methodist Church on March 19-20.

     The 30-Hour Famine is a project of World Vision.  World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.  Motivated by faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God's unconditional love for all people.

     The 30-Hour Famine is open to students in the 7th grade (or age 13) and up.  Adult supervision will be provided.

     Anyone interested in participating in the 30-Hour Famine is encouraged to contact Holly Taylor.  She may be reached by phone (788-4973) or e-mail (hollyhunts94@frontiernet.net).

VII. Super Bowl of Caring, 2010

The Super Bowl of Caring for 2010 is scheduled for Super Bowl Sunday,
February 7.  All contributions collected will stay within each church, to
be used for a mission project determined by the church.  Each church
  is requested to report the total amount it collects to Cynthia Tressler at
788-5691 (or sugmtn@epix.net) by February 14. 
   

           VIII. A Word of Thanks             

    
     We would like to thank all the organizations, individuals and churches who regularly contribute to the success of the Food Pantry.  It's impossible to list the names of everyone, but you know who you are.  The Pantry, and especially the hundreds of persons it serves every year, thank you for your thoughtfulness and your generosity.