Holidays are a prime time to donate, volunteer at food pantry
December 18, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
For most families in the area, the holidays means warm fires, hot cocoa, presents and a big family meal. However for a lot of Barry County families, the worry is about much more than just gifts. Food insecurity is a real issue in Barry County.
Around 16 percent of Barry County residents live in poverty. For many families, they are only one small circumstance away from being unable to put food on the table. A single illness, job loss or accident could mean no food on the table not just for a Christmas dinner, but on a daily basis.
Across Barry County, food pantries are vital in the event of those emergencies. Cassville Food Pantry director Janet Mills said there are 325 families signed up through the food pantry program each month. For the walk-in program, there are approximately 80 families a week that utilize the service.
In order to make sure those families have memorable holidays, Mills says she asks people to donate the types of things they enjoy around the holidays to help those families in need. She said, "I tell people to donate things people would use for their own holiday celebration: stuffing, potato flakes, yams, cranberries, things like that. Bring what people would want for their own holiday meals, that way we can elevate the standard box where they feel like they are receiving something special."
She added to also consider items that people use to make traditional holiday casseroles and side dishes. She said, "Think about green beans, cream of mushroom soup, the things they would buy for themselves to make holiday favorites."
The Cassville Food Pantry is limited to low income families within Barry County. Mills said families have to provide some verification of their need as well as a piece of mail showing they live in the county. She said, "The basic criteria is a statement of need. We do go by government poverty guidelines as a basis, but we consider special needs and special circumstances. We are always a listening ear. We are always here to listen to their concerns, and issues are well-evaluated and considered. They can call me or drop by if they have questions."
Mills said the food pantry also has the capacity to take non-shelf stable items. She said, "One thing that would be helpful and people don't necessarily think of is we can store perishable foods. If people want to donate butter or margarine, that helps. I know it's perishable, but it is something we can always use and people use in recipes."
Mills said milk, butter, oil and other foods that are commonly used in baking and cooking homemade meals are helpful and always in need at the pantry.
They will also accept personal care items and paper goods to families utilizing the food pantry, as well.
For those who would like to help, but don't have the financial ability to donate monetarily or food items, there are also volunteer opportunities. She said, "We are always seeking new volunteers. There are many, many different ways to volunteer in different capacities. Some involve interacting with the public, and some just involve sorting produce and stocking shelves. We are pretty much limited to weekday opportunities, but there are different facets and ways they can serve."
She added, "We are definitely in need of helpers. We don't mandate that they need to lift heavy boxes. The team of volunteers is really what keeps it going, and it's a sensitive job. We want it to be a more human experience for people coming to the pantry to be treated with compassion. It's more than just handing a box. We want to be an encouragement and uplifting moment where they don't feel embarrassed to come in. We are fulfilling our mission by helping them to come through our doors."
Mills stressed the compassion element is fundamentally important to the volunteer process. She said the goal is to make sure every family feels uplifted by their experience at the food pantry.
The hours for the Feeding America Pantry are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. For questions about who qualifies for the pantry or to sign up, call (417) 847-2328.
Mills added the pantry is also seeking monetary donations to help purchase food for the food pantry's various programs available to families in need.
She said, "Instead of just food items, we welcome and appreciate monetary gifts, as well. Our budget is pretty large to feed all of the folks that we do. We partner with the Ozarks Food Harvest and acquire most of our food products from them, which is below wholesale value. Monetary donations are very welcome and well-received."
Charlea Estes-Jones
For most families in the area, the holidays means warm fires, hot cocoa, presents and a big family meal. However for a lot of Barry County families, the worry is about much more than just gifts. Food insecurity is a real issue in Barry County.
Around 16 percent of Barry County residents live in poverty. For many families, they are only one small circumstance away from being unable to put food on the table. A single illness, job loss or accident could mean no food on the table not just for a Christmas dinner, but on a daily basis.
Across Barry County, food pantries are vital in the event of those emergencies. Cassville Food Pantry director Janet Mills said there are 325 families signed up through the food pantry program each month. For the walk-in program, there are approximately 80 families a week that utilize the service.
In order to make sure those families have memorable holidays, Mills says she asks people to donate the types of things they enjoy around the holidays to help those families in need. She said, "I tell people to donate things people would use for their own holiday celebration: stuffing, potato flakes, yams, cranberries, things like that. Bring what people would want for their own holiday meals, that way we can elevate the standard box where they feel like they are receiving something special."
She added to also consider items that people use to make traditional holiday casseroles and side dishes. She said, "Think about green beans, cream of mushroom soup, the things they would buy for themselves to make holiday favorites."
The Cassville Food Pantry is limited to low income families within Barry County. Mills said families have to provide some verification of their need as well as a piece of mail showing they live in the county. She said, "The basic criteria is a statement of need. We do go by government poverty guidelines as a basis, but we consider special needs and special circumstances. We are always a listening ear. We are always here to listen to their concerns, and issues are well-evaluated and considered. They can call me or drop by if they have questions."
Mills said the food pantry also has the capacity to take non-shelf stable items. She said, "One thing that would be helpful and people don't necessarily think of is we can store perishable foods. If people want to donate butter or margarine, that helps. I know it's perishable, but it is something we can always use and people use in recipes."
Mills said milk, butter, oil and other foods that are commonly used in baking and cooking homemade meals are helpful and always in need at the pantry.
They will also accept personal care items and paper goods to families utilizing the food pantry, as well.
For those who would like to help, but don't have the financial ability to donate monetarily or food items, there are also volunteer opportunities. She said, "We are always seeking new volunteers. There are many, many different ways to volunteer in different capacities. Some involve interacting with the public, and some just involve sorting produce and stocking shelves. We are pretty much limited to weekday opportunities, but there are different facets and ways they can serve."
She added, "We are definitely in need of helpers. We don't mandate that they need to lift heavy boxes. The team of volunteers is really what keeps it going, and it's a sensitive job. We want it to be a more human experience for people coming to the pantry to be treated with compassion. It's more than just handing a box. We want to be an encouragement and uplifting moment where they don't feel embarrassed to come in. We are fulfilling our mission by helping them to come through our doors."
Mills stressed the compassion element is fundamentally important to the volunteer process. She said the goal is to make sure every family feels uplifted by their experience at the food pantry.
The hours for the Feeding America Pantry are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. For questions about who qualifies for the pantry or to sign up, call (417) 847-2328.
Mills added the pantry is also seeking monetary donations to help purchase food for the food pantry's various programs available to families in need.
She said, "Instead of just food items, we welcome and appreciate monetary gifts, as well. Our budget is pretty large to feed all of the folks that we do. We partner with the Ozarks Food Harvest and acquire most of our food products from them, which is below wholesale value. Monetary donations are very welcome and well-received."