Pantries need more dollars - Batesville Herald Tribune

Pantries need more dollars - Batesville Herald Tribune

There are so many reasons persons visit area food pantries.

They go to the Batesville site because "their income is insufficient to meet expenses either because of low-income jobs or large family sizes," points out co-coordinator Anne Baran. Others can't hold jobs due to medical conditions or age or they just moved to the area and haven’t yet found work.

At the Fishes and Loaves Community Food Pantry, Delaware, Pastor Tommy Beatley finds "the type of people who come seem to be the older ones who are on strict fixed incomes. When the weather gets cold and they have to spend their money on heat, it picks up."

Others get laid off of seasonal jobs when the weather is too bad to roof or construction work has slowed down, according to Sunman Food Pantry coordinator Sandra Wagner.

Bill Warren, head of the Ripley County Food Pantry, says, "We have needy folks, we really do, people in dire need of help. That's why we're here. We try to make their life just a little bit better." At the last giveaway just before Thanksgiving, 191 families were served. "That's a lot of food. The good part about it, everybody got a full basket. We estimated the price of that basket would be $75." Families got to choose a turkey breast, chicken or 5 pounds of bacon.

At the Ripley County and Delaware pantries, "We never turn down anybody the first time they come," explains Beatley, even if they are out of the service area. Some are redirected to pantries closer to their homes.

Each pantry allows a client to participate once a month (please see box).

Most organizers see their numbers rising for various reasons. At the Delaware site, volunteer Rita Meyer says, "I look for it to go up because they did away with Gleaners (Food Bank of Indiana monthly distributions of free food) at the (Osgood) fairgrounds."

Milan Community Emergency Relief has more visitors because of the new, more visible location, believes the Rev. Harris Long of Milan First Baptist Church.

The coordinators are assisted by helpers. Baran has two permanent volunteers in addition to one manning the desk, plus a crew of four to eight each week from participating churches that rotate months. "Fortunately we have no shortage of volunteers. The community is full of wonderful people who want to help!"

Shari Simmermeyer has assisted there for five years as part of the St. Louis Catholic Church group. She keeps coming back for "the satisfaction of being able to help. It's very rewarding." Amelia Kubicek, a Batesville permanent volunteer since 2014, adds, "I really enjoy seeing people happy."

The Sunman pantry has around 27 volunteers, but more would always be accepted, especially a bilingual helper who could speak to a client in Spanish so a form can be completed.

A pantry was opened by Carl and Janet Moore of Osgood United Methodist Church about 20 years ago. When they could no longer manage it, the Delaware pastor reports, "a few years ago, men of my church insisted it not close and we continue to run it" with seven to 10 volunteers, including Delaware Township trustee Paul Hardy, who "does a really good job" picking up surplus food from stores, such as bread, chips and produce.

Even though the Milan pantry has about 50 helpers ("each church takes a week plus our organization has officers and volunteers"), "we can always use more," according to Long.

About 10 man the Ripley County site, but more would be better. Warren admits, "It's hard to get a good volunteer who comes consistently. We always need a man with a pickup truck. We run to Batesville to Thrive Market and Greensburg, Aurora and Indianapolis once a month" for pickups of food that he orders.

Warren prefers financial contributions over food. "It's much better if they send cash because when I go shopping, I buy with 180 families in mind. We have been blessed. There's nothing on the shelves" after families visit, but then supplies that were ordered arrive. "If I find a special, I go for it!"

All but one pantry receive help from Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Indianapolis. Long reports, "We get free commodities once a month. There's also food available for purchase at very discounted prices" that can be ordered. According to Warren, "The more we buy, the more free stuff we get."

Fishes and Loaves Community Food Pantry leaders have opted not to go to Gleaners. "We don't want to be restricted. We are strictly donation based," Beatley says.

Ripley County Community Foundation officials recently helped MainSource Bank and its employees make grants to the pantries (please see article on page 4). They have other financial sources of support as well.

The Milan coordinator says, "I'm very appreciative of all the churches, businesses, organizations (from schools to Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion members) and individuals that provide and cause the pantry to run."

Wagner was impressed by a recent Sunman Elementary School drive. "The children did a great job of bringing the food in. We want them to know how much we appreciate them and all of our donations from everyone."

The Delaware coordinator was amazed that Ripley County Community Foundation's Ripley Youth Outreach (students at Batesville, South Ripley, Jac-Cen-Del and Milan high schools and Oldenburg Academy) collected cake mixes, candles and balloons for area pantries – "everything you need to make a birthday cake for families who are struggling."

Beatley reflects, "There always seems to be a great concern people are double dipping or taking advantage of the food pantry ... we leave it up to God." He emphasizes, "Every dime that's given is used to buy food."

Warren points out, "If anybody would like to donate for Christmas (meals), any donation is not too small. Twenty dollars from five people makes $100. I can buy a lot of food with $100. My wife Brenda and I work at it. She takes care of a lot of the paperwork."

According to the Batesville co-coordinator, "We could not operate without the help of the wonderful, generous friends and neighbors. These include both individuals and area businesses. Their donations are life savers!"

An article about Brookville food pantries will be published soon.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at debbie.blank@batesvilleheraldtribune.com or 812-934-4343, Ext. 113.

Batesville Area Ministerial Association Food Pantry

Address: 920 County Line Road, Batesville

Hours: noon-4 p.m. Wednesdays

Organizer: Batesville Area Ministerial Association churches listed on the website

Coordinators: Anne Baran and Andrea Hartman

Area served: Batesville Community School Corp. district

Number of families served each month: 215

Documents client needs to bring at first visit: No documents are required, but potential clients need to verify their income eligibility and that they live in the Batesville school district.

Needed donations: personal care items (shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothpaste); cereal; pasta; rice; canned meats, soups, fruits, vegetables and beans, such as kidney and pinto; fruit juice, peanut butter

How to drop off items: Wednesdays between 11 a.m.-noon or call 812-932-1637 to arrange for large donations

Monetary donations: Send check or money order noting Food Pantry in memo line made out to the Batesville Area Ministerial Association, P.O. Box 383, Batesville, IN 47006.

Info: Anne Baran, 812-932-1637 or awkcb@etczone.com; http://ift.tt/2fXwMmf

Fishes and Loaves Community Food Pantry

Address: 5129 N. State Road 129, Delaware (township building next to Methodist church)

Hours: 10-11 a.m. and 4-5 p.m. second and fourth Mondays

Organizers: Delaware United Methodist Church with support from several other churches

Coordinator: Pastor Tommy Beatley

Area served: South Ripley and Jac-Cen-Del school districts

Number of families served each month: 100

Documents client needs to bring at first visit: proof of residence, photo ID and proof of income, if available

Needed donations: canned vegetables, soups and meats; pasta; spaghetti sauce; cereal; peanut butter; or perishable items, such as produce, during pantry hours

How to drop off items: during pantry hours or call 812-584-3546 to arrange for large pickup

Monetary donations: Send checks made payable to Fishes and Loaves Community Food Pantry to Pastor Tommy Beatley, 3679 N. County Road 225 E., Milan, IN 47031.

Info: Pastor Tommy Beatley, 812-584-3546. He or a township trustee can open the pantry any time for emergencies.

Milan Community Emergency Relief

Address: 207 S. Main St., Milan

Hours: 9-10:30 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. Tuesdays

Organizers: Milan First Baptist Church; St. Charles Catholic Church, Milan; Pierceville United Methodist Church; Milan United Methodist Church; St. Paul Lutheran Church, Milan; Milan Wesleyan Church; Milan Christian Church

Coordinator: the Rev. Harris Long

Area served: Milan school district

Number of families served each month: 80

Document client needs to bring at first visit: proof of address

Needed donations: "Especially during the summer, we accept a lot of produce."

How to drop off items: during pantry hours or call 812-654-3642 to arrange for large pickup

Monetary donations: Send tax-deductible checks made payable to Milan Community Emergency Relief to P.O. Box 457, Milan, IN 47031.

Info: the Rev. Harris Long, 812-654-3642

Ripley County Food Pantry

Address: Building 16C, Ripley County Fairgrounds Park, Osgood

Hours: 9 a.m.-noon and 5:30-7 p.m. third Mondays

Organizers: Jackson, Johnson, Otter Creek, Center and Shelby township trustees

Coordinator: Bill Warren

Area served: Jackson, Johnson, Otter Creek, Center and Shelby townships

Number of families served each month: 175

Document client needs to bring at first visit: none. "We take you at your word."

Monetary donations: Send tax-deductible checks made payable to Ripley County Food Pantry to Bill Warren, 645 N. Columbia Ave., Osgood, IN 47037; receipts available upon request

Info: 812-689-4427 or 812-756-2560

Sunman Food Pantry

Address: St. John’s United Church of Christ parish hall, 8917 E. County Road 1300 N., Penntown

Hours: 9-11 a.m. Saturdays

Organizers: St. John United Church of Christ, Penntown; St. Jacob United Church of Christ, Blue Creek; St. John Lutheran Church, Hubbles Corner; St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Spades; All Saints Parish, Guilford; Sunman Community Church; Sunman Bible Church; St. Peter Catholic Church, St. Peters; Zion Lutheran Church, Manchester; St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Sunman

Coordinator: Sandra Wagner

Area served: Ripley County, and slightly into Dearborn and Franklin counties

Number of families served each month: 120

Document client needs to bring at first visit: a piece of mail with current address

Needed donations: canned or fresh fruit, soups, canned or frozen meats, cereals, pastas and peanut butter

How to drop off items: 9-11 a.m. Saturdays or call 812-623-2159

Monetary donations: Send checks to Sunman Food Pantry, 8917 E. County Road 1300 N., Sunman, IN 47041.

Info: Sandra Wagner, 812-623-2159 or jswagner21@yahoo.com