WEST END FOOD PANTRY

The West End Food Pantry opened its door in Kunkletown on November 21, 2015. Market research showed there to be a significant amount of families in our local area struggling to make ends meet. “When you examine the poverty rate and unemployment rate is the West End of Monroe Country, then add in a high cost of living which includes very high property taxes in this region; quickly you realize this is an equation that adds up to families needing help,” said Karena Thek, Pantry Chair.

Gauging a pantries success is always a hard thing since success means there are far too many families suffering. To date the pantry has 168 families signed up to receive food. Thirty percent of the people we feed are children. We also have been able to bring together 80+ volunteer from all walks of life, all-working together for the common mission of alleviating hunger. “One of the most inspiring things about the pantry is watching my volunteers join together and work hard to feed people but at the same time express compassionate and empathy for those hurting,” Thek states.

Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Home has provided significant volunteers and support to the pantry. Curt Bush and Justin Scheffner help unload trucks regularly. Carrie Shafer has committed activity time to prepare snacks for hungry volunteers once a month and coordinated the Christmas wreath fundraiser. Kelly Bush is instrumental in Saturday distribution processes but is also the first to step up and helps accomplish the hardest tasks on stocking day. Mrs. Bush takes time out of her busy schedule to volunteer each distribution and does an amazing job of welcoming our clients and chatting with them while they wait for their turn to “shop”. Many from the Mrs. Bush staff have provided monetary donations and food donations week after week. Without such support the pantry simply could not succeed.

It takes a lot of support and food to feed so many families and pantry continues to need monetary donations, food donations and volunteers. For additional information please contact Karena Thek at www.karenathek@mac.com or at 570-730-6055.

Easter is right around the corner!

We are currently collecting donations of small Easter

baskets, basket grass, candy and Easter trinkets! The

baskets will be given to the 147 children who receive food

from the West End Food Pantry.

Please bring in donations labeled “For Food Pantry.”