THREE OAKS — The Harbor Country Emergency Food Pantry received support from walkers, runners, bikers, and even a few canines during the Movin’ Against Hunger: Walk, Run, Rock, Bike event held Sunday, Oct. 8.
Most of the 36 participants journeyed through Three Oaks on foot or bicycles (there were one- and two-mile routes along with a 10-mile bike path), taking pledges ahead of the fund-raiser.
A few even stayed at the Food Pantry’s new home at the former Gathering RCA Church at 301 North Elm St. to “rock” in chairs on the lawn.
Sherri Curry of Harbert and her dog, “Addie,” were among those taking the longer walk.
“She’s excited and ready to go,” Curry said of the Irish Setter. “She went out and got a couple donations. She’s ready to walk!”
During her Movin’ Against Hunger walk, Nancy Davis of Three Oaks passed a wedding ceremony going on at her church, Three Oaks United Methodist — the same institution where she was married in 1958.
Davis, a volunteer at the Food Pantry “every Friday morning” for about seven years, said she walks nearly every day.
Pastor George Lawton of Lakeside United Methodist Church (and president of the Food Pantry’s Board of Directors) said Movin’ Against Hunger took place on the date when a CROP Walk was traditionally held (25 percent of the proceeds from those fund-raisers went to the Food Pantry).
“We decided that, at least for now, we would do it this way to boost up the Food Pantry’s reserves,” he said.
Purchasing the historic church building for $75,000 and getting it updated to house the Food Pantry’s offices, food storage, Thrift Shop and other facilities was expensive — especially the requirement that an elevator be installed at a cost of more than $100,000.
Additionally, a series of leaks last winter required repairs and cleanup that incurred several thousands of dollars in additional expenses.
“We’ve been preparing for this for quite some time, and we had enough reserves to cover the cost if it,” Lawton said, but he added that the additional cost of last winter’s water damage “has strained us somewhat.”
Movin’ Against Hunger organizers reported gathering $3,198 on Oct. 8, with “more expected to be received in the next few days.”
The Harbor Country Emergency Food Pantry’s main mission is to serve area families in need of assistance with food, shelter and related issues.
During a prayer before Movin’ Against Hunger participants went out on the road, Lawton asked that they “be cognizant of the fact that there are people here and around the world who do not have what they need every day to survive and thrive.”
Linda Mangold, board vice president and on-site manager, said the Food Pantry is serving between 30 and 40 households per month.
“Some of them are 9 or 10 in a household, and some of them are 1,” she added.
In addition to the new facility, the Food Pantry’s former home at 6 South Elm St. in downtown Three Oaks is now open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. as a boutique offering higher-value clothing, collectibles and antiques.
To support the Harbor Country Emergency Food Pantry, call (269) 756-7444, or visit the main building at at 301 North Elm St. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mangold said cash or gift card donations are currently recommended because a recent drive for residents affected by a fire at the Hidden Harbor Villas apartment complex in Three Oaks was so successful it drew twice as much as was needed and has fully stocked the Thrift Shop.
The Harbor Country Emergency Food Pantry is sponsored by 12 area churches and overseen by a board composed of 12 volunteer members along with the pastors of those churches (there is usually some overlap).
Treasurer is Maureen Byers and Alyce Carter serves as secretary.
