UMC Food Pantry helps keep families fed in Shelby County - Effingham Daily News

Since the C.E.F.S. food pantry closed nearly a year ago, the food pantry at the United Methodist Church in Shelbyville has had a steady increase in the number of clients. The pantry served almost 700 people in August.

For more than 20 years, the food pantry at the United Methodist Church has aided county residents who are struggling with the choice of paying their bills or feeding their families.

"We're here to help the hungry – that's the bottom line," said administrator David Mills. "We don't judge. It's not our place to judge. There's a lot of people who need help."

When it closed, C.E.F.S. gave the church freezers and racks and money designated for the food pantry. Food is trucked in from the Central Illinois Food Bank and the USDA. Fresh garden produce has been donated by area residents in season and various churches, civic, and school organizations hold food drives throughout the year to benefit the food pantry. Wades' Meats and County Market have also contributed to the pantry.

"And financially, people have been very generous to donate," Mills said.

The church's food pantry is open Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon each week. Routine reports reflecting numbers and income levels have to be made to the Central Illinois Food Bank in Springfield. The program helps as many as 210 households each year. The households must meet income guidelines to qualify for the food pantry.

During the summer months, an extra bag is allowed for each family with school aged children. During the school year, many of these families are helped with the Blessings in a Backpack program, which supplies children on the free and reduced lunch program with a backpack of food items for the weekend.

"We try to stay just Shelby County, but we don't turn anybody down," Mills said. "We try to help keep them from going hungry."

Mills said that some people have a difficult time admitting they need help, even if it is only a temporary situation.

"Many people don't want to have to come to the food pantry," he said. "We try to make people feel comfortable and people are very thankful for that."

The food is set out for the people to come in and choose from meats, canned vegetables, soups, pastas, rice, cereals, crackers, cookies, drinks, and other supplies according to the number of household members. They are assisted by one of the volunteers who encourage the clients in their choices.

"We can't force them to make healthy choices, but we try to encourage it," said Nancy Mills

Volunteers include members of the church and community. They help unload the trucks and repackage bulk food items. Most of the work to stock and resupply the shelves and freezers is done Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

"If it weren't for our volunteer, we couldn't do any of this. They're the backbone of this organization," David Mills said.

The food pantry has had a long history with the church. Former administrators of the food pantry are Gary and Susie Robison, Carole Hott, and George and Nonie Bolinger. The Mills have been overseeing the pantry for the past couple of years.

"The pantry has been one of the ministries of our church," said Nancy Mills.

"We do what we have to to keep people from getting hungry," said David Mills. "We've reached a lot of people."

For more information about the food pantry or to volunteer, call 217-774-3013.