SESSER -- Get ready for another night of high school football and Sack Hunger. Last week, you helped us collect more than 8,000 items for pantries in Benton and Pinckneyville. Friday, News 3 will collect food in Johnston City as the Indians host the Sesser-Valier Red Devils.
Every month, around 70 families get food from the Sesser-Valier Lifeline Food Pantry. Pantry Secretary Larry Cook said that number jumps much higher during the fall to winter months.
"Especially, November and December, we may have upwards of 125 to 130," said Cook.
The Sesser-Valier Ministerial Alliance began the food pantry in 2005 to help senior citizens on fixed incomes.
Cook said seniors make up 50-percent of the people they serve.
"We had seen a need in our community to try to help our people and we decided that this would be a good way to do it."
The ministerial alliance supports the pantry, with donations from individuals all around.
"It's great to see people who are willing to help, who are thinking about others," said Cook.
Cook said pantry workers spend between $1,500 to $2,000 at the local grocery store each month.
"He does a real good job of helping us out, giving us a good deal on things and so we purchase all of our foods through him," said Cook.
Cook said foods like mac and cheese, Ramen noodles and cans of vegetables and soups run out quickly. He said they've also handed out more diapers for adults and children, and sugar free food.
"The thing that I find quite often is there will be somebody who will say, Pastor Larry could you, I've got a family member, I've got a sister, I've got a mother, somebody in need of prayer. Would you? And I'll just stop and we have a word of prayer right there in the street," added Cook.
You can find this pantry's doors open every third Tuesday of every month from 9-11 a.m. The football game kicks off at 7 p.m Friday night.
The first 100 people who bring 10 items or more to the game will get a Sack Hunger T-shirt.
