Date: Fri 17-Jan-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Faith-Food-Pantry-need

Full Text:

with cut: Faith Food Pantry: Remembering That There Is Need In The

Neighborhood

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

When we run out of cereal or shampoo most of us get in the car, drive to the

store, and buy what we need. But imagine if you had a sudden illness, loss of

job, or divorce that left you unable to afford any brand of deoderant (let

alone your favorite), or chicken, or peanut butter.

Many Newtown residents are in exactly that situation today, as evidenced by

the 45 to 90 families served each month by the FAITH Pantry, which operates

out of St John's Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook.

Although many have given when the need is publicized, it takes more than the

good will of prosperous neighbors to maintain a stock of food and toiletry

items on pantry shelves - it takes mindfulness. Some regular pantry

contributors have found clever ways to remember less fortunate people

throughout the year.

Each year, Carol and Bob Pious and their two sons, Kevin and Brian, assess how

they are going to help people during the next 12 months. In addition to

continuing sponsorship of two children - one in Brazil and one in Indonesia -

the Piouses decided they wanted to do something as a family to help local

people in need.

"Whenever we go out to eat now, we're going to send out a check to the pantry

the next day equal to the amount we spend," explained Carol, who got the idea

from the magazine, Discipleship Journal . "What I like about it is that it's

not difficult, but it's a way to think about somebody else when you're blessed

enough to be able to go out and eat."

Carol was moved by the article that cited statistics of those suffering from

hunger and poverty throughout the world. "No famine, earthquake, or flood has

ever claimed the lives of 250,000 children in a week, but malnutrition does -

every week," reported Paul Borthwick in his article, "What Can I Do for a

Hungry World."

"Nobody should go hungry and nobody should go without," said Cindy Pollock,

who along with fellow Troop 611 Girl Scout leader Patti Gradowich, helped

organize a "Trading Post" at the recent Country/Western Round-Up where 220

scouts offered toiletry items to be given to the pantry and received small

goodie bags in exchange. "Come January, February, March, people forget to give

[the pantry] toiletry items - things we don't think of. People need these

items."

Cindy just returned from a trip to Mali, the second-poorest country in the

world and the location where her daughter, Rebecca, is assigned as a Peace

Corps volunteer. "It's amazing. We're so wealthy here. They are the second

poorest country in the world and they give to each other freely, they take

care of one another. In the Land of Plenty, we have to beg," she said.

Cindy believes everyone should give. "You don't have to be wealthy to do it,"

she said. "If we just do a little, give a little. And I don't [necessarily]

mean monetarily - I mean support, a kind word, reaching out. And teach the

kids. The only way they're going to learn is by example."

One definition of community is: a unified body of individuals. This notion is

reflected in the actions of group who meets at a residence in Sandy Hook every

month. Those who attend the meeting bring a food item for the pantry;

volunteer Hugh Quinn picks up the bags of food and brings them to FAITH. By

maintaining awareness of the hunger in our community, this group regularly

acts to better the situation. Mr Quinn said he would gladly pick up items from

other organizations who might choose to do the same thing.

The pantry needs simple foods like tuna, spaghetti sauce, chicken noodle soup,

cereals, and canned pasta, ravioli, beef stew, chili, and corned beef that can

be heated on a hotplate or in the microwave (some patrons do not have stoves).

Money is always needed to buy discounted food that will "round out" a diet;

volunteers shop at grocery stores and cooperatives which supply oleo, peanut

butter, chicken, hamburger, kielbasi, and hot dogs. The meat is kept frozen in

two large freezers at the pantry. There is no call for cranberry sauce, canned

pumpkin, yams, or lentils, pet food, infant supplies, or boxed pasta (it gets

too damp in the basement to keep large supplies on hand). Cleaning supplies,

shampoo, deoderant, laundry detergent, toothbrushes and toothpaste, tampons,

paper towels, toilet paper, and other necessary items are always welcome. The

FAITH pantry also collects coats and other "outer wear" to distribute to

residents in need.

"It's a nice feeling helping other people out," said long-time volunteer Hugh

Quinn. "We deliver [to housebound people], we pick up food that's donated, we

bring people down here [who have no transporation]."

Those who come to the pantry must fill out a short form, but do not have to

show proof of need or reveal income; records must be kept so the FAITH Pantry

qualifies to be part of cooperatives and other food programs. Patrons are

asked to use the pantry a maximum of once a month.

"We try to make it as pleasant as possible so it isn't degrading," said Jo

Morris, who has been actively involved in the pantry since its inception eight

years ago. "One woman came in here crying recently. Her husband didn't have a

job and she was so grateful [for the food]."

"Most of the people truly are in need and are not abusive. They take only what

they need," said one of the pantry chairpersons, Nancy Taylor. "Some people

don't qualify for Social Services. But that's what we're here for. People who

fall through the cracks."

FAITH also needs volunteers to help when the pantry is open on Tuesdays and

Thursdays, to shop, and deliver or pick up food.

"You don't do it for yourself to feel good," said Carol Pious, who now

delivers pantry items to some homebound residents. "It's just one of the great

side-effects of helping other people."

Monetary donations are tax deductible; check may be made out to FAITH Pantry,

and mailed to Nancy Taylor, 31 Zoar Road, Sandy Hook 06482. Food and toiletry

donations for the pantry can be dropped off at any church or synagogue office

in Newtown; or brought to the pantry during operating hours of Tuesday 10 am

to noon, and Thursday 6 to 7:30 pm. For information on volunteering to help at

the pantry or deliver food to housebound patrons, contact chairs Nancy Taylor

at 426-8507, Doris Bulmer at 426-4254, or Lee Paulsen at 426-5604. Anyone in

need of food is encouraged to patronize the pantry.