New location allows food pantry to serve more people

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Ida London, of Sorber Mountain, makes some once-a-month food choices for herself and her husband at the former Ruggles Methodist Church on Route 29 in Noxen. The Pastor’s Food Pantry first began in a pastor’s basement at a different church.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_pantry1.jpg.optimal.jpgIda London, of Sorber Mountain, makes some once-a-month food choices for herself and her husband at the former Ruggles Methodist Church on Route 29 in Noxen. The Pastor’s Food Pantry first began in a pastor’s basement at a different church.

Pearl Race helps organize the Pastors Pantry food bank on Route 29 in Noxen.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_pantry2.jpg.optimal.jpgPearl Race helps organize the Pastors Pantry food bank on Route 29 in Noxen.

Volunteer Sandra Simons, of Noxen, has her hands full stocking the Pastor’s Pantry food bank on Route 29 in Noxen.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_pantry3.jpg.optimal.jpgVolunteer Sandra Simons, of Noxen, has her hands full stocking the Pastor’s Pantry food bank on Route 29 in Noxen.

This basement door leads to the new home for the Pastor’s Pantry, a monthly food bank on Route 29 in Noxen located in the former Ruggles United Methodist Church.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_pantry4.jpg.optimal.jpgThis basement door leads to the new home for the Pastor’s Pantry, a monthly food bank on Route 29 in Noxen located in the former Ruggles United Methodist Church.

NOXEN TWP. — Noticing residents had a need for assistance, the Rev. Keith Benjamin started Pastor’s Food Pantry at the Noxen United Methodist Church in September 2007. Benjamin was the pastor of the Noxen United Methodist Church at the time.

That need has grown even more, and the pantry moved to the former Ruggles United Methodist Church on Route 29 in May to accommodate more people and allow easier access to the food. The pantry pays rent to utilize the space.

“We’re very grateful to be here because there is more room, and people can just walk in the door,” Pearl Race, a pantry coordinator, said. “There, they had to go down steps to the basement of the parsonage.”

According to Race, the first month the pantry was open, volunteers saw about 12 families. That number has grown to 65.

The pantry is open three hours each week, from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays and for emergency situations such as a fire involving a family in crisis.

“They are welcome to any food item we have on the shelves,” Race, of Noxen, said.

According to Race, many families include two working parents with two children eligible for assistance and, while some people may be hesitant at first, they are appreciative of the support.

“It’s humbling for people to come in the first time,” she said. “They really don’t want to come to the food pantry, but the oil and electric bill is off the wall, they have a car payment, or are out of work. They don’t take much, but when you talk to them and find out what’s going on, they have tears in their eyes. There are many, many people in serious need.”

According to Race, Grassy Ridge Farms and the Back Mountain Food Pantry Garden have offered much support over the years.

“We’re very fortunate that we get a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables,” she said. “We not only get canned, boxed and frozen items, we also get fresh foods.”

Although the pantry receives great support from local churches, Girl Scouts, local fire company and ambulance departments and the Harry & Jeanette Northeast Regional Food Bank in Pittston, there is always a need for donations.

“Everybody helps out; it’s a community effort,” Race said.

The pantry has about eight to 10 volunteers each week, many of whom have been donating their time for many years and put in more than the three hours the pantry is open.

“On Tuesday afternoons, we get loads of food from Weis Market and Walmart in Tunkhannock, and they will come to help out,” Race said of the volunteers. “They all do so much good and enjoy what they’re doing.”

The public can drop off donations from 9 a.m. to noon each Wednesday at the pantry. They can also call Race at 570-885-6204 or the Noxen United Methodist Church at 570-298-2503 to make other arrangements.

Elaine Dembowski, of Noxen, who has volunteered at the pantry for 15 years, enjoys organizing the donated goods.

“I love playing storekeeper,” she said. “When we get back to the stocking area, we act like kids.”

The Pastor’s Food Pantry donations are accepted 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays.

Pick-up arrangements may be made by calling 570-885-6204 or the Noxen United Methodist Church at 570-298-2503.

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.