Opinion

Donations help McCook Pantry respond to need

Friday, February 7, 2003

In a town of 8,000, how many folks do you think would need the services of a food pantry in a year. A thousand? Fifteen hundred? Five thousand? Keep going.

Yes, some 5,055 individuals received food from the McCook Pantry, but the year was 2000. That number climbed to 6,192 last year and 6,428 in 2002. In addition, 69 Christmas baskets were given out in 2002, 73 in 2001 and 81 in 2000.

Of course, the McCook Pantry, housed in the Canterbury House of St. Alban's Church on West First Street, serves more than just McCook residents. And, many were repeat individuals, limited to assistance no more than once a month.

Sponsored by the Ministerial Association, the Pantry has been providing emergency supplies of food to the people of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas since 1980. Using a staff of committed volunteers, the organization is open from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

As tough times arrive on the farm and in the economy in general, the McCook Pantry has stepped up to the challenge, thanks to the churches, service organizations and individuals who are generous contributors of food and or the cash used to buy it.

"We are grateful to the volunteers who staff the facility, and to those who support us so generously," volunteer Marilyn Brandt said. "And, we truly appreciate the hospitality of St. Alban's."

Yes, the churches, youth groups, service clubs and individuals have responded to the need. But we have the feeling that the hard times may not be over. And, even if the economy turns around and rains begin to fall, many of us will continue to find ourselves facing hard times.

Keep the McCook Pantry in mind next time you have the chance to do something for your fellow man. Bring up the subject at your next club meeting, if your club doesn't already support the Pantry. Buy a few extra cans of food when you go to the grocery store. Encourage your kids to donate part of their allowance or paper route earnings, and have them help box up the extra nonperishables from your own pantry.

By donating food or money to the Pantry, we're helping our friends, our neighbors or -- who knows? -- perhaps even ourselves.

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