Pantry Paper – February 2009

THANK YOU ALL FOR A GREAT YEAR

          We worked through the most challenging year ever, with the most clients, and the most food. It was a test of all your skills and perseverance and you did it successfully. 

We had to use our financial reserve to buy food, and donations were way down. Then suddenly food drives, lots of them, and our food cost dropped. Then the stores called and asked if we needed --- and the amount of free food tripled, in cases. Now we were out of storage space and the Upper Hall was filling up, so through Theresa we ordered storage PODS. The people kept coming, lining up a 9am,and the stores kept calling. Then the financial donations started flowing in.

This was the Greatest Year ever and everyone was in good spirits.

          I could not believe how our volunteers kept going, like Energizer Bunnies, and only a few blips in a day. Volunteers were exhausted, but euphoric in what they accomplished. We really served the needy of our community in style.

THANK YOU SHIFT VOLUNTEERS !

If you wish to work in the Pantry, please notify either Judy Gandy or Glenn Ellis by the 10th of the month preceding the one in which you wish to work using one of three methods: return the card enclosed with your  schedule and newsletter, send an e-mail to PantryScheduler@sbcglobal.net, or phone the scheduler listed at the bottom of your schedule. You can Telephone either Judy at *82 (818) 347-2890 or Glenn (818) 347-6021. Please do not ask Jeanne or Margaret if you can work, and do NOT write yourself into the schedule without first checking with either Judy or Glenn. TWO volunteers are the minimum required for us to open, and three volunteers are normally the maximum number working each shift.

 

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPLIERS, Albertson’s, Pavilions’, Ralph’s, Trader Joe’s, and Von’s and to the volunteers who pick up food from these markets and stock the Pantry shelves: Lee Bishop, Bob Eisenberg,

Dan Hedrick, J.R. Holdeman, Hussein Khalhji, Jerry Murphey, Ray Pritchard, Lou Rowell, Teri Seidman, Ed Shuster, Tedi Mae Tortolano, Al Trumpler, Ray Wagner, Jr., Lance Wakefield, Joe Weber, and John Willauer.

 

OPPORTUNITY  Annual Toy Drive Leaders

        Letty and Theresa have requested that others take over their 10 year operation. Several candidates have been proposed but anyone interested should contact Jeanne, Margaret, Jean or any Board member.

 

VOLUNTEER NEWS Our condolences to the family of Warren R. Wheaton, a long-time volunteer who passed away January 8. Thanks to Bob Hromadka from Jean Buesing for writing this newsletter, while she was on vacation.

 

WE STILL NEED SUPERMARKET COUPONS dropped at the Pantry f

rom the newspaper, from your mail, in Entertainment books, and others.

SUPERMARKET FOOD DRIVES Help is needed for Saturday, February 14th in front of Albertson’s Market on Victory at Fallbrook, and Saturday, January 21st at Ralph’s at Sherman Way and Shoup. Have a fun two hour shift, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  

Please call Al Trumpler to sign up (818) 887-9384.

 

TRIBUTES Thank you for all the Tributes to volunteers and family members this year. You can honor or remember someone with $5 donation. Cards are available at the Pantry or send envelope to Earl Lewis.

 

 

                      DECEMBER 2008 OPERATION STATISTICS

 

      P.O.P.       Rescate            Year                            

TOTAL FAMILIES SERVED                              720             485             11,392

PEOPLE SERVED: Adults                              1,145            759  

                                 Children                       653             730

                                                                 1,798         1,489            31,116

                                                                                                280,044 MEALS

Food Expense $ 107,059 for 38¢ each meal

 

On Senior Wednesday, January 7, 212 people received large food bags.