Published: August 20, 2008 07:18 am      

Pantry benefit coming up Sept. 13

Local News

Not only will it offer a good time, but also an opportunity to help others in the community.

God’s Food Pantry Benefit Dinner and Auction Extravaganza will be held at The Center For Rural Development on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Debbie Long, executive director of God’s Food Pantry, explained this is their largest fund raiser and there are several areas she hopes the money raised will help.

“First off we want to say how terrific this move has been for us,” said Long.

The pantry moved from the downtown Fountain Square to South Central Avenue last fall, because of the new judicial building being built downtown and the previous property being taken for the project.

“In the move everyone was very generous with donations,” said Long.

She said the donations given covered all the expenses on the renovations on the new building.

Long said now they hope to start to be able to put some money towards the $180,000 mortgage which they hope to satisfy as quickly as possible.

With the mortgage, she said, there is an expense of $3,500 each quarter for interest.

“Our goal is to put as much as possible on the principle and get it (the mortgage) paid off as soon as possible and not have to worry about the interest payment,” said Long.

So, to help raise the money, there will be a live, silent and ticket drop auction held at the dinner, as well as a cake and confectionery auction.

The auctions usually include between 75 to 100 different items including vacation packages, paintings by local artist such as Janie Hail, handmade Persian Rugs, as well as other items.

Also, Long said, several car dealerships in town are going to bring different new vehicles for people to bid on and then the top bidder will get their choice of a new car.

“All money raised during the vehicle auction will go towards the principle,” said Long.

Entertainment will also be provided throughout the evening.

As well as helping with payment on the building, Long said, they will also look to monies from the event, helping get them through the holidays and pay for getting the walk in freezers and coolers they’ve purchased installed.

“Pulaski County is a very giving community,” said Long.

Through donations, God’s Food Pantry was able to serve nearly 19,000 people in 2007.

Long, noted though that if they don’t get sufficient funds and have more participants trying to take part in the special holiday boxes this year, they might have to limit the number of boxes they are able to provide this year.

“We have had to decrease how much we put in the carts, because of the decrease in donations in the summer,” Long added.

Long said last year there were 705 families who visited the pantry in July and this year there was 722 families, which puts the counts up a bit. However, she noted, this year the pantry was closed for a week in July.

“A lot of people (coming to the pantry) have not been been to the pantry in several months or a year,” said Long.

Long explained though that the summer is generally a slower time for donations than other times of year.

As well, Long said they hope to be able to afford to get the walk-in coolers and freezers they have purchased installed. Installation will cost $8,500 and since they have been trying to be frugal, Long explained, they had put the project on the back burner as they didn’t feel they had funds to go foward with the project at this time.

“It would be a true blessing at the holidays if we had these,” said Long.

Long said last year they had around 350 people in attendance at the event and everybody who came said they had a good time.

“I’m hoping we have that many or more who want to come this year,” said Long. “...If anybody wants to come we’d love to have them.”

Long noted though they must have a count on the number of people who will be attending the dinner by Sept. 1, to give cater a number, so they can plan for food.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for the benefit dinner and auction extravaganza and the dinner begins at 6 p.m.

Sponsorship levels and ticket prices include $30 for an individual, $50 for a couple, Corporate table for 8 people $400, Churches and Civic Clubs table for 8 $250 and Platinum Sponsor with a table for 8 is $1,000.

Tickets for the benefit can be purchased from any of God’s Food Pantry board members as well Long by contacting God’s Food Pantry at 679-8560 or 271-1146.