Pantry serves 700 families
An estimated 80 Community Pantry volunteers met Saturday, April
8, at a warehouse off Hazel Street in Hollister to celebrate the
imminence of its new headquarters.
Pantry serves 700 families
An estimated 80 Community Pantry volunteers met Saturday, April 8, at a warehouse off Hazel Street in Hollister to celebrate the imminence of its new headquarters.
Although the lease had not yet been signed, Executive Director Mary Ann Hughes said she believed that the warehouse owners’ willingness to allow its use for the celebration was “a good indication of their intent.”
Community Pantry has enjoyed rent-free status from the city of Hollister at its present location at Hollister Airport for years. However, last December it was told that it would have to find a new location because the Federal Aviation Administration prohibits federal grants to the city if the airport has any non-aviation agencies operating there.
“This building has more than ample space for our present operations, and will allow us to accommodate the growing need of the future,” Hughes said.
She noted that Second Harvest, with which Community Pantry works, has donated a cooler and a freezer to add to the present cooler.
“What is more, we will be able to assemble the hundreds of bags of groceries we need every week right here instead of at Veterans’ Park each Wednesday,” Hughes said.
“And that need is growing. Volunteers assembled 950-plus bags of groceries each week for the last two weeks, and we can expect to see that number rise in the future. Not long ago we were putting together 880 bags a week.”
Hughes lauded the City of Hollister’s generosity in aiding Community Pantry. “It has lent us $150,000 for our bookwork and may help us for two or three years. It recognizes the need to fight hunger here.”
Hughes honored its recently named Hunger Fighter of the Year, Juanita Medeles, with a certificate, and made similar presentations to six other volunteers.
Guests were provided with a tamale luncheon at the buffet table.
Community Pantry was established in San Benito County in 1989 to help local families who were pinched financially. From assisting 35 families originally, the need has risen to more than 700 families every month.
Each week the staff, member/recipients and volunteers collect food from local growers, Salinas packers, Ag Against Hunger, Second Harvest in Watsonville, and local residents and markets. The food is sorted, organized and processed at the warehouse. Each bag contains fresh produce, staples, bread and other items.
Some bags are picked up at distribution points and others are delivered to many parts of the county.
In addition to the $250,000 in dues and contributions each year, Community Pantry receives about 850,000 pounds of food, whose value is estimated at $1,500,000.
Volunteers in many categories are needed. Anyone who wants to contribute food, money or to volunteer may call 831-637-0340 for more information.
