Critical Need in Area Food Pantries

The Pottstown Mercury has started an initiative to increase contributions to area food banks.  The need has never been greater as a result of the current economic situation.  Food pantries are hurting.  This is due in part to the fact that a majority of donations are received from Thanksgiving through Christmas.  The project is called “Fill the Media Lab” and enlists the help of the Mercury’s bloggers to get the word out about this important and critical need.

Project Outreach is a Spring-Ford charity that I’ve supported for many years.  During my years as principal at Royersford Elementary, we held two food drives each year.  One was in November and the other, at Project Outreach’s request, was held in the spring when giving would almost dry up.  Over the years, thousands and thousands of food items were donated.  (See picture from 2006, below.)

I’ve also had the privilege of volunteering at Project Outreach in Spring City on several occasions.  Most recently I helped with the food distribution in October.  Everyone should have the opportunity to do this.  Watching a mother of four trying to decide between a jar of peanut butter or a roll of toilet paper from the “free choice” table makes an impression you never forget.

Parker Ford Church, where I serve as Pastor of Administration, continues to support Project Outreach, and serves as a collection spot.  The church is open every Sunday until 1:00 p.m., and the office is open on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Most recently, Parker Ford Church has begun to support Operation Backpack in Pottstown.  Needy or homeless children are provided with discrete backpacks filled with easy-to-prepare food for the weekend when they don’t have access to a school lunch.  (The items donated must be able to be prepared by an elementary-age child without adult assistance.)

The program in Pottstown, working in cooperation with the Pottstown School District, is currently serving 85 children!  Our church just completed a food drive for Operation Backpack and we donated 1,254 items, along with $350!  Two members of the church have committed to becoming monthly partners with Operation Backpack, and will provide a donation every month.  Another individual has volunteered to assist with inventorying food items for Operation Backpack.

For more information on this important initiative, as well as a list of suggested easy-to-prepare food items, read the Pottstown Mercury story by clicking here.  Remember that you can donate food items for Project Outreach and Operation Backpack at Parker Ford Church, 20 Rinehart Road, Pottstown, PA.  Contact the church by email or by calling 610-327-2266.