More ways to help feed the hungry
Summer break usually represent an opportunity for families to take a vacation and spend more time with the children. For others, however, it means finding a way to ensure that the kids home from school get three healthy meals a day.
From the total number of children attending Pine Island Elementary School, 155 receive free breakfast and lunches and many others are eligible for meals at a reduced cost. When summer arrives and the kids are home, this means each of the parents of these students are left to provide 10 additional meals per child each week.
In an effort to help these struggling families, the Pine Island Food Pantry has teamed up with the Pine Island Winn-Dixie and has launched the “Winn-Dixie Bag” program. Shoppers at Winn-Dixie can purchase specially labeled reusable bags that are filled with food specifically designated for children. The items found in the special Winn-Dixie bags for children include a jar of Winn-Dixie grape jelly, Winn-Dixie peanut butter, two cans of Winn-Dixie chicken noodle soup and an 8-pack of Keebler cheese and peanut butter crackers.
“We have been helping out the food pantry throughout the year and when Kathleen came to us to tell us about the kids that will need food this summer, we developed this new program just for them,” said Winn-Dixie store manager Dan Loughren. “We also have 100 reusable shopping bags for the kids that can be returned and refilled throughout the summer. We try to do whatever we can to help our community.”
The cost of the Winn-Dixie Bags for kids is just $10 per bag.
“We are hoping to provide food every two weeks for the school children,” said pantry director Kathleen Soronen. “In addition, their families can also participate in receiving food on the normal schedule of four times a year from the pantry. However, at this time, they are receiving food more often as so many people are out of work and have very little income so our supplies are beginning to run low.”
According to Soronen, last Monday alone, the pantry provided food for 72 men, women and children. This year, the number of families being served by the pantry has nearly tripled in the last few months and it is beginning to take a toll on the pantry supplies.
“The cupboard is getting bare despite the great response to the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive in May. During the summer months the need for families to rely on the Food Pantry for assistance increases while donations decline with the departure of our snowbird population,” Soronen said. “Food donations are in great need at this time and those who would like to help out will find several drop-off locations on the island.”
Non-perishable food, paper goods and toiletry items can be dropped off at Bank of America, Southwest Capital Bank, Matlacha Post Office, Matlacha Hookers, VFW, American Legion, Jackie’s Restaurant, Winn-Dixie and many of the service clubs and churches. Donations may also be dropped off at the Pine Island Food Pantry, which is housed at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church in Bokeelia. The pantry is open Monday and Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. Monetary donations can be sent to the Pine Island Food Pantry, 2343 Date Street, St. James City, FL 33956.
“Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated as it helps us to buy the items that are not donated to the pantry,” Soronen said. “With the money we are able to purchase things like milk, eggs, cheese, meat, fresh vegetables and other perishable items we try to provide for our clients.”
Also dwindling during the summer months are the number of pantry volunteers.
“Many of our volunteers go north for the summer leaving us somewhat short handed so we welcome anyone who would like to help out by filling these vacancies,” Soronen said. “Any assistance volunteers can offer will be of great value to those who have been working hard at the pantry all year round. In addition to helping to fill food orders, we are in great need of someone who has computer skills and can help with our record keeping.”
For those interested in volunteering at the Pine Island Food Pantry, call Kathleen Soronen at 283-5869.