Here’s what’s new at the Ecumenical Food Pantry:
This July there was a prolonged power outage in Milford and the surrounding area. While this event may have proved to be an inconvenience for some, it was a catastrophic threat to the food resources at the Ecumenical Food Pantry. Seven refrigerators/freezers filled with chicken, meat and other perishable food were in peril.
When asked for help, Mayor Sean Strub reached out to local businesses and agencies. Within an hour, volunteers from the Milford Fire Department were wheeling over a portable generator to keep our freezers powered up throughout the day.
To be prepared for the future, the pantry is working with friends at the county level to obtain funding for a permanent generator. Thank you all
United Way of Pike County grant
The pantry was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the United Way of Pike County to partially fund its Healthy Options Program. This funding will help the pantry continue to provide fresh vegetables and fruit every week to families struggling with food insecurity.
With prices of fresh produce going up as well as an increasing number of families coming to us for help, this grant comes at a very important time.
‘Faith lived out’
The Milford United Methodist Church has been involved in the Ecumenical Food Pantry for many years, supporting the work of the pantry through staffing and donation efforts. Additionally, one of their members Bill Arlequeew built a box on a post outside the church called the Little Free Pantry, and it is stocked with food for anyone who is in need.
The church also participates in the national Souper Bowl of Caring challenge each February, receiving hundreds of cans of soup and other donations for the Ecumenical Food Pantry.
The pastor, Rev. Jennifer Lovallo, spoke of the congregation’s commitment to volunteering and supporting the Ecumenical Food Pantry as “faith lived out ... that the focus of faith should be outside in the community and among the people.”
Food brings people together
In July, for the first time in over three years, the pantry, along with volunteers from Good Shepherd Church, resumed their monthly Community Lunch Program. Started in 2018, the monthly Community Lunches were suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.
Held on the third Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Good Shepherd parish hall, lunches are open to everyone at no charge. The lunches offer people a chance to relax, reconnect and share how much they have in common rather than how much they differ.