Food bank needs more volunteers
By: Nick D’Amore
Though it is well after the holidays, the township food pantry is still seeing donations pour in and its shelves are fully stocked.
Organizing, sorting and unpacking the donations is one lone volunteer, Jean Thompson.
Ms. Thompson, a Kendall Park resident and former bookkeeper and homemaker, has been volunteering at the pantry for three years, but this is the first time the pantry has needed her help beyond the holidays.
"This is the first time I’ve been alone in the pantry. Usually, they never ask for volunteers after the holidays," she said.
Immediately following the holidays, the pantry was in dire need of donations, Its shelves were nearly empty and it was running low on almost every item.
"Once the holidays are over, everything falls by the wayside," said Ms. Thompson.
LouAnne Wolf, the township welfare director, said Ms. Thompson is her only volunteer outside of the holiday season.
"I have no one else. She’s there when I need her and she’s been a stable force. She’s been there for us for many years and knows what to do," she said.
After putting the word out that donations were desperately needed, "it perked everyone up and let people know the pantry is here all the time," said Ms. Thompson.
Township residents responded, and the shelves and bins are now fully stocked with different kinds of soups, sauces, cereals and various other food items.
"We really appreciate the donations. If not for them, there would be nothing here," said Ms. Thompson.
But, with the increased donations comes the need for more volunteers.
Ms. Thompson said she volunteers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays because she attends a fitness class at the Senior Center, where the pantry is located.
"My feeling is, what’s the big deal? I’m down here anyway," she said.
On a typical day, she unpacks new donations, checks the dates and then organizes them on the shelves or into bins.
One look around the pantry shows that the few hours she puts in weekly have helped greatly. All shelves and bins are meticulously marked. She has even separated soups by their ingredients.
"I arranged the baby food by ages, so you don’t have to look all over creation for it," she said.
Also, with Passover approaching, Ms. Thompson has set aside a shelf for the necessary foods families need for their Seders, such as matzo and matzo ball soup.
Ms. Thompson enjoys the time she spends at the pantry.
"It’s time-consuming, but I like the quietness," she said.
Sometimes, she asks others in the Senior Center to give her hand, including Michael Grant, 23, is the Senior Center custodian and is usually around to help.
"Usually, I’m here if they need me for the holidays or if she needs me," he said.
Ms. Thompson said she asks Mr. Grant to help her stock high shelves or help her with some heavy lifting.
"I have no problem lifting some things, but some things are too heavy and I have Mike help me out," she said.