Pantry receives much needed help, supplies
As the nation continues to tighten its belt, the citizens of Pine Island continue to help their neighbors. This was clearly evident on Saturday, May 9, as island residents pulled together to support the Pine Island Food Pantry. The islands’ mail carriers joined a national effort to feed the hungry and asked residents to place food donations at their mailboxes for pick up and the response was so great additional assistance was needed to collect and deliver the donations.
“There was so much food to pick up and deliver to the pantry that Dave Greuser called upon his fellow pantry volunteers to lend a hand,” said pantry director Kathleen Soronen. “We now have enough supplies for two months, thanks to the volunteers and the generosity of Pine Island.”
Among the pantry volunteers helping to pick up and sort the donations was Dave Higgins.
“It is remarkable how giving our island is,” said Higgins. “Not to detract from what others do, our efforts are self-perpetuating and that makes a great statement about the island itself.”
Among the volunteers assisting the postal carriers were pantry volunteers Marti Carss, Dave and Dianne Higgins, Dave and Mary Greuser, Buzz and Barb LaPlante, Tom Wolf, Dondaleen McCaleb, Bob Debas, Faye and Roy Maddock, Marge Vitch, Margaret Bunting, John and Nancy Dewitt, Kathleen Soronen, Patty Shelton and Jan Lillyblad, as well as 20 volunteers from the Pine Island Community Church.
Unlike the food drives in Cape Coral and Fort Myers, which benefited the Harry Chapin Food Bank, all donations collected on Pine Island will stay on Pine Island.
Items collected ranged from cans of condensed milk to cake mixes and, as the need increases this summer, the pantry will sustain folks in need of temporary help with donations from the community.
“In addition to our regular contributors, such as the churches and service organizations, we also receive bread and pastries from Winn-Dixie. We also are given gift certificates from Jug Creek Seafood, run by Roy Kibbie, for fish caught and donated by local fishermen,” said Soronen. “We also get donations of fresh fruit and vegetables grown by island residents, and earlier this year we were given tomatoes from the hydroponic farm in St. James City.”
As summer approaches, the need for food donations will increase and has already shown signs that it will be a busy time for the pantry.
“We had our busiest ever month last month and saw 60 families representing about 150 people looking for food donations,” said Soronen. “When school lets out for the summer break, we expect will see that number increase as well.”
It is estimated that when the children are home for summer vacation, the family will be preparing 10 additional meals per child a week. At this time, Soronen is working with Winn-Dixie and Pine Island Elementary School to ease the added financial burden to parents who rely of the free breakfast and lunch programs offered during the school year.
“Currently there are 155 children receiving free lunches at Pine Island Elementary,” said Soronen. “With school letting out soon, we are working on a program with Winn-Dixie to help out these families during the summer months.”
According to Soronen, a typical family of four will receive about 150 pounds of groceries, including non-perishable items, fresh and frozen food, laundry and dish detergent, shampoo, toothpaste, bar soap, bathroom tissue and more. In addition to these items and donations from the Winn-Dixie bakery and local produce growers, the pantry also uses monetary donations to purchase items like meat, milk, eggs, butter, sandwich meats and cheese to fill orders for pantry patrons. The pantry also provides paper products, toiletries, disposable diapers and pet food when available.
“With the money we receive from donations, we are able to purchase many items that don’t typically get donated, but are of great importance to the families and individuals who visit the pantry,” said Soronen. “Thanks to the generosity of Pine Island residents, organizations, churches and businesses, we are able to provide the help that is so greatly needed, especially during these difficult economic times.”
For more information about the food pantry and volunteer opportunities, call 283-3824.
To make a monetary donation to the Pine Island Food Pantry, mail it to Pantry Treasurer Barb LaPlante, 2343 Date St., St. James City, FL 33956.