"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. Related Announcements
 

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.

   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