Jean, a volunteer at Prince of Peace Food Closet of over 20 years, remembers when the operation was literally a closet for their pastor to store food for when emergency needs arose. She’s grateful that 12 years ago they were able to move to a larger space in a multipurpose room next to the sanctuary. But even with this larger space, the ministry remains a small scale program run by a close group of volunteers like Jean who share the desire to help others.
The group of eight or so regular volunteers have developed a well-polished routine over the years. The friends come to the church early, bringing food and coffee to share. After chatting over breakfast, they get to work packing paper bags with basic food items. As guests begin to arrive, some of the volunteers help with intake. They ask about the households’ needs and provide them with a checklist of the perishable items they currently have to choose from, like produce and frozen meat. Volunteers then gather the chosen items to complete the bag and take it to the guest on a rolling cart. If the individual needs the assistance, the volunteer will bring it all the way out to the guest’s vehicle.
In this way, Prince of Peace Food Closet helps to feed 150 to 200 households per month. Every time a guest receives a bag, they are getting enough for about three days’ worth of meals made up of healthy staples like beans, pasta, peanut butter, and canned vegetables. In cases when guests are unable to travel to the church, volunteers will even take the bags to them, usually about 15 deliveries a week.
Our job at Emergency Food Network is to keep the pantry shelves consistently stocked. Jean introduced us to Judy, who coordinates obtaining most of the food for the pantry. Judy works with Kat, EFN’s Hunger Response Director, and Tina, one of EFN’s delivery drivers, to let us know their needs for deliveries that arrive twice a month. About 60% of their food comes through EFN or direct donations from businesses such as Grocery Outlet, Panera Bread, or the Commissary at Fort Lewis-McChord. The rest comes through the church, donated by the congregation or purchased with the food closet budget. Some of the volunteers who enjoy bargain-hunting use their skills to find the most economical prices for budget purchases.
Prince of Peace Food Closet has fallen on some hard times itself lately. Low on volunteers, during the summer they thought they might have to close. Thankfully, by the fall, more volunteers had come through and they were able to stay open. But the struggle to get enough consistent help remains. Most of the volunteers are seniors, and they would love to be able to recruit some younger hands to help with the physical work like lifting heavy boxes.
There are many reasons that the core group of volunteers keep coming back Tuesday after Tuesday. They enjoy the routine and each other’s company (“…most of the time,” Jean added jokingly). Another reason they shared was that this service is also part of their calling as members of the church. And there is no shortage of reminders of the way that their kindness multiplies in the community. Many guests return to the food pantry with donations once their circumstances allow, happy to help others get the same assistance they received in their moment of need. This bond of genuine concern for each other’s well-being is what will continue to keep Prince of Peace Food Closet going in the years to come.
If you are able to lend a hand on Tuesday mornings, contact Karla Bohn at k.bohn@comcast.net or 253-584-2565.