Lifeline helps feed ailing God’s Food Pantry

By SUSAN WHEELDON, CJ Staff Writer
Commonwealth Journal

August 08, 2008 06:59 am

— God’s Food Pantry received a lift recently after Lifeline Home Health Care raised 5,038 food items to help with its inventory.
Tammy Haste, director of central intake and eligibility at Lifeline, said when they heard God’s Food Pantry was in need of food, they decided the best way to answer the call was with a friendly competition. First and second floor Lifeline employees aimed to raise food with the losing floor having to cook a meal for the winning floor.
“Both floors were determined not to cook so the competition was stiff as desk drawers and office supply closets were secretly stuffed as each team tried to fool the other until the big reveal,” said Haste.
Haste said now more than ever God’s Food Pantry is playing such an important role in meeting the nutritional needs of individuals and families as the price of groceries and gas soar.
“Lifeline Home Health care is so happy to contribute to this very worthy cause and is challenging every business in Pulaski County to top us!” Haste said.
The donation comes at a good time, according to executive director of God’s Food Pantry Debbie Long.
“This food drive comes as a true blessing,” said Long. “We thank Lifeline for having the food drive and encourage others to help restock the shelves for others in need.”
Long said they have had to cut the amount of food those that visit God’s Food Pantry receive because of low inventory over the last month.
“Summer is the lowest time of year for donations historically for any food bank,” said Long.
The number of people the pantry is serving is continuing to rise, as they provided food to 722 families in June 2008.
Long noted that many more seniors are coming in for assistance than in the past.
Long said the pantry currently has ample drinks and soups, but the rest is very slim. She said they are in need of vegetables like peas, mixed vegetables, greens, carrots and green beans. Long said the Pantry is out of potatoes (boxed mixes and instant) and rice mixes. Also packaged pasta side dishes are needed and saltine crackers and cereals are getting low.
The commodity foods have their own guidelines and the county has districts for distribution of those.
However, Long said they have been blessed with some fresh vegetables from local gardens.
“We encourage everyone to donate anything they would purchase for their family to eat,” said Long. “Brand name items are not important.”
Haste said they would like to give thanks to the merchants — Kroger, Wal-Mart and Bruce Foster at Food Fair — who gave to the drive to support the cause.

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