Another record breaking success toped $9,000 at Fifth Anniversary Food for Families Fundraiser to benefit the Twin Valley Food Pantry.
“A huge thank you to our wonderful community who donated and participated in the event. YOU made it possible for us to celebrate five years of giving to the needy of our area. $9,000 and all the results are not in yet,” said event creator and organizer Deborah Harry of Elverson.
Feb. 5 and 6, the doors flung open at Morgantown’s Conestoga Mennonite Church on 2779 Main Street revealing a year of planning.
Harry along with her team Ginny Janoski, Joan Goodwin, Jay Arndt, Deanna Arndt, Nick Prosser and Linda Smith proved once again her motto “Ask and Get” could help fill the coffers of the Twin Valley Food Pantry.
“This ‘scrapbooking crop’ started five years ago has expanded into a premier colorful gala of unique raffle items, a silent auction, awesome vendors and scheduled information sessions on healthy living and aroma therapy,” said Harry.
This year’s crop event sold out in less than a month then expanding to nearly 90 people and new rooms, growing it to new standards.
Jeff and Sheryl Potter of Morgantown were spread out at one table with three student baseball team members, Zack Dennison, and Noah and Iain Taylor. The group tours 30 towns in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland, performing community service and working for charity. They had newspaper clippings, photos, tickets etc., that they were including in their annual scrapbook. This is their 5th year of supporting Twin Valley Food Pantry.
Another table hosted two sisters and their Mom, Vicky Cyperonoski of Sanatoga, Carol Campbell and Carol Ortlys of Royersford.
“It is a great bonding experience for us. We are working on graduation cards, a book, etc. for our niece Amanda who is graduating from college, Look here is her baby picture,” said one sister.
“This is Tasha, Niki, and my other dogs,” said Valarie Giles of Elverson, here for her third year making a scrapbook of her dogs.
“I am working on my genealogy book for the 5th year,” said Kristine Parks of Gilbertsville with her usual beaming smile and vast collection of family history spread out around her.
Anna Marie Weikel of Souderton was making her vacation book for the 4th year seated with Lori Kline of Royersford working on her embossing for her 5th year. And Kelly Hess was there for the first time making a Jimmy Buffet Concert scrapbook.
The diversity might include card making, book making, scrapbooking and a variety of genres including sports, genealogy, weddings, celebrities, and art. It is interesting, tedious and a wistful hope that one day our own experiences can all be captured with such precision and lasting memories. On each table lay memories and creativity, a personal hobby that is now touching the needy of Berks, Lancaster and Chester counties.
According to the Twin Valley Food Pantry website, http://twinvalleyfoodpantry.org/, Twin Valley Food Pantry was formed in 1994 as an out-reach ministry and is hosted by Conestoga Mennonite Church. “The Pantry’s Mission is to supply a food supplement to our community and ensure there are no undernourished children in our schools. We, therefore, primarily serve families in the Twin Valley School District who experience periodic food shortages due to lack of income.”
Twin Valley Food Pantry volunteers Carol Moss, who along with her husband Howard Moss, shared the following, “Seven years ago my husband and I who both work full time felt a calling to work in food ministry. Our pastor encouraged us and the plan began. A lot of planning went into the work. Learning the government sources and guidelines, working with local farmers and industries and other hands-on resources including local churches, boy and girl scouts troops and then we were ready to launch. The first night we had 25 to 30 families. After a year with the economy slumping we were feeding up to 175 families a month plus taking on emergency cases,” said Moss.
Distribution is the 4th Tuesday of the month at the church. A large meal is prepared by volunteers. After they are fed the doors open at 5 p.m. All are served the meal and crates are handed out to each family according to the number of people in the family. They slide the crates along the tables and choose the food they want,
Twin Valley Food Pantry supplies fresh produce from local farms if possible, canned goods, baby food, dry goods, paper products, condiments, fresh bread and baked goods along with tooth brushes and other hygiene products. A special treat are freshly made sandwiches and drinks.
Moss said no one is turned away. “Sometimes they are between jobs or they are working two jobs and by coming to the Food Pantry can afford to pay a bill or get medical attention or gas for their car.”
“We once had WalMart come seeking people to work. We have activities for the kids while the adults shop. Everything is then bagged up and carried out to their car,” said Moss. “People look forward to coming and just sitting and talking. This community is the first when hearing about a homeless person to invite them in to give them a couch or a bed to sleep on. They are good people, just down on their luck.”
To volunteer for the Pantry, volunteers can stock shelves or help on distribution day.
Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Conestoga, stock the Pantry for delivery of food earlier in the day. A fast moving evening, this usually lasts about two hours.
Tuesdays at 5 p.m. at Conestoga is the Monthly Distribution Day. The Pantry needs approximately 60 or more volunteers for the evening for setup, distribution, and tear down. Usually completed around 8:15 p.m.
For more information about the Twin Valley Food Pantry visit. http://twinvalleyfoodpantry.org/.
