We operate using only monetary and food donations. The mission of the Food Pantry is to alleviate hunger for those in our community. Along with that basic function we have broadened our impact in the community, please read about our programs.
1. Emergency Food: The Food Pantry collects and delivers food to Interlakes Community Action Program (ICAP) where the food is given to people who need it. Annually, about 450-500 families use this resource as a ‘bridge’ to other longer-term resources.
2. Holiday Food Baskets: We provide additional food to people during the holiday season. Individuals and families have commented how nice it is at Christmas to receive almost everything you need to make a traditional holiday dinner for the family.
3. Angel Tree: Since 1985, the Food Pantry has sponsored the Angel Tree which provides gifts to children at Christmas time. An angel, which represents the child’s Christmas wish, is hung from a Christmas tree and people from the community take the angel from the tree and purchase the gift. The gifts are returned to the Food Pantry and delivered for Christmas. The program is a huge success bringing smiles to many children’s faces! Recently, over 225 children received gifts.
4. School Supplies: Since 1995, the Food Pantry has sponsored the distribution of free school supplies to students attending any school in Lake County. Around 140 to 170 students receive school supplies using this program.
5. Kids’ Pantry: Beginning in 2010, the Food Pantry established the ‘backpack’ program. This program sends nutritious food home with younger children for the weekend. This year we will provide food for kids in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade.
