Partner Program Highlight: Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry

Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry has been innovating and evolving its operation to meet the needs of their local community for more than 25 years. They distribute approximately 10,000 pounds of food each month, serving 323 households for a total of about 800 individuals. Since 2013, they have been a Partner Program of EFN, receiving nearly 50% of their food from our Distribution Center each year.

Before COVID-19, guests received a warm welcome with coffee and snacks as they self-selected their groceries indoors. While the pantry has had to make adjustments to maintain the community’s safety and comply with COVID-19 guidelines, they have been very creative in maintaining a modified self-select program. Guests line up outside while keeping six feet of social distance. A volunteer presents each guest with a menu of available food, then relays their order via walkie-talkie to the volunteer crew inside. Inside the pantry, several volunteers gather around the walkie-talkie and rush to customize and fulfill each order, providing prepacked bags on request.

Behind the scenes, 25 regular volunteers rotate duties. They pre-pack bags of food, organize inventory, and clean the pantry. There is no paid staff at Trinity Lutheran Church. Wanda Wentworth, who started over 15 years ago as a buyer, serves as a Coordinator for the pantry. As volunteers have matured, she has taken on more responsibilities, eventually settling into her role as a Coordinator.

The Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry volunteers are essential to the work of feeding the community. Virginia, for example, is another Coordinator. Upon retiring, she elected to help out at the pantry. As a Coordinator, Virginia works alongside Wanda overseeing the ins and outs of pantry operations like the repacking of bulk food items. Volunteers regularly repack bulk foods like rice, oats, mashed potatoes, and beans into family-sized portions, sometimes including a hand-selected mix of herbs and spices to add variety

Although the pantry operations have changed drastically with the incorporation of safety measures such as personal protective equipment, including masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectants, volunteers stay motivated by the community members who rely on the pantry during hardship. Pastor Jonette Blakney shared an inspirational story of a multigenerational family that utilized the services of the pantry. A couple in their seventies fell upon hard times. Their son lost his job, and as a result, he returned home to live with them, bringing along his wife and child. When they realized that their income was simply not enough to provide for the new, fuller household, the couple sought help from Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry. Although they initially felt ashamed and embarrassed to be seeking help, the Trinity community welcomed the family with kindness, dignity, and respect. Their feelings of shame and embarrassment were replaced with a sense of community and comfort in knowing that they were not alone.

Despite a variety of hurdles, such as weather wear on the awning that protects guests waiting in line, volunteers find motivation in the community members they serve. Although it can be hard work, volunteer Jenn shared that serving at Trinity Lutheran Church gives her great benefits, including social interaction, exercise, and a sense of purpose.

EFN loves supporting our partner programs, and we encourage others to do the same.