Cash Donations:
Donations of food are always appreciated. Cash donations allow us to participate in the Second Harvest network. We can make bulk purchases of food from MANNA Food Bank at tremendous savings over retail prices. For instance, a carton of cereal containing fifteen boxes can be purchased for 18 cents - that's 18 cents a carton!  An average can of soup can cost 41.27 - that purchases seven cans through the MANNA Food Bank. Any produce that appears on the MANNA supply list can be purchased for 18 cents a pound. In these times of tight purse strings when even those of us with expendable income are taking second looks at our spending, donating cash gives the highest return for your investment in the Outreach Food Pantry.

Our Basic Food List:
Thermal Belt Outreach food pantry provides staples, commodities and produce to eligible low-income families and individuals. Dave Herron is the Food Pantry coordinator.   He is assisted by more than 40 volunteers.

Volunteers assist in unloading trucks, stocking shelves, filling food orders and other jobs necessary to keep the food pantry in great shape.

The Food Pantry annually distributes food to over 2,300 individuals.  More than $16,000 of food is purchased at discounted rates each year.

Hours:  The Food Pantry is open 10 am - 3:30 pm. Monday thru Friday.  No appointments are necessary.  An application form for food assistance must be completed and approved before food can be picked up.

Donations:
The food items below make up our basic food issue. Receiving these specific items through donations would greatly benefit the OUTREACH. All cans should be 15 oz. Flour, grits, cornmeal, rice, dry beans and sugar should be 2 lbs. Any kind and size of soup and fruit are okay.

Cereal - Cornmeal - Dry Beans
Flour - Grits - Instant Potatoes
Pancake Mix - Rice - Spaghetti
Sugar - Beef Stew - Salmon
Tuna - Macaroni & Cheese - Peanut Butter
Spaghetti Sauce - Assorted Canned Vegetables Canned Corn - Canned Green Beans - Canned Pork and Beans - Assorted Soups
Assorted Jello - Ketchup - Jelly
Mayonnaise - Mustard - Vegetable Oil
Cake Mix - Pancake Syrup - Tea
Hand Soap - Laundry Soap- Toilet tissue
Toothbrushes - Toothpaste

(download food list)

Produce Distribution:
Wednesdays 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm - the pantry will close for regular food distribution at 2:45 on these days.

Schedule for the first half of 2008
Jan 16, Feb 13, Mar 12, apr 9, May 14, Jun 11

Volunteers:
Help is needed during all hours of operation. Contact Dave Herron for further information.  [More about volunteering]