Since its founding in 1989, the Community Pantry quietly has
been making a big difference in the lives of many San Benito County
residents. When it began, the organization that distributes food to
the needy was able to help 35 families per week. Since then, the
organization has grown to help hundreds of local people.
Since its founding in 1989, the Community Pantry quietly has been making a big difference in the lives of many San Benito County residents. When it began, the organization that distributes food to the needy was able to help 35 families per week. Since then, the organization has grown to help hundreds of local people.
A look at the statistics measuring the assistance the Pantry has given to the poor, seniors, single parents and children over the past year shows this is an invaluable organization:
n 835 bags of food are donated per week
n 682 families are served each week
n 2,129 people are served weekly, among which are included 1,013 children and 229 seniors
Now, after giving so much assistance to others, the Pantry is in need of some help of its own.
The city of Hollister, which has let the Pantry use a warehouse at the airport rent free as a collection and distribution hub, plans to demolish the building this summer.
As a result, the Pantry is asking the community for help finding a new location before it has to leave the airport in August.
“A real angel is needed to fly in and provide us with a warehouse at reasonable or no rent,” Pantry Director Maryanne Hughes told reporter Luke Roney.
The Community Pantry is a worthy cause, and we encourage a local government agency, company, church or property owner with a vacant warehouse to find it in their hearts to donate space or money to ensure the organization can continue it’s mission to fight hunger in San Benito County.
We have faith that this community will rally to the Pantry’s cause. After all, on Monday, the county’s first homeless shelter opened its doors to give people a place to spend the cold winter nights. A coalition of elected leaders, churches, nonprofit organizations and concerned residents came together to make it happen.
Failing a large donation of space from one of the above mentioned organizations, perhaps a similar – or the same – coalition can work on a plan to make sure the Community Pantry has a home by the summer.
This is a cause worthy of being taken up by the caring people of this county. Let’s work together to ensure the Pantry can continue in its efforts to feed the needy.
Anyone who can help can call the Community Pantry at 637-0340.
