Jonesville United Methodist Church

Helping Hands Food Pantry

Samaritan Counseling Center

Missions

Helping Hands Food Pantry

The Pantry has requested fruit and vegetable juices for the month of March. Please bring donations on Sunday mornings and put in basket in hallway. Thank you for supporting this outreach for those in need in our community. Baskets will be placed at both entrances to the sanctuary on Sunday. Please help if you are able.

The Food Pantry was founded in 1972 and is currently located in a room next to the Jonesville United Methodist Church kitchen. The pantry is staffed by one director and a bank of about 50 volunteers including some teens. Weekly, 60 to 70 families in the Shenendehowa and Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake School Districts benefit from the services provided. All clients are interviewed and provide documentation of need. The CAPTAIN van picks up clients and brings them to the pantry on designated Friday mornings.

The pantry is supplied through community donations, food drives, donations from Price Chopper, Hannaford Supermarkets, and Stewarts Shops. Additionally, donations are received from Long John Silvers and KFC. The pantry also spends $80 to $100 weekly on food purchased through the Regional Food Bank. Monetary donations are received throughout the year from individuals and organizations and are a very necessary and appreciated part of the operation.

The pantry hours are on Wednesday evenings from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. and Friday mornings from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Volunteers work Thursday mornings sorting food and Wednesday afternoons preparing for the Wednesday hours. The pantry allows the opportunity for clients to select their own food and sundry items from the available canned and frozen food, produce, baked goods, food staples, cleaning supplies, paper products and health and beauty aids.

Pantry volunteer hours increase dramatically when Thanksgiving and Christmas approach. Turkeys, hams and gift certificates are provided in addition to regular weekly food. Approximately 100 families receive fruit baskets delivered through the Department of Social Services.

For more information and/or a tour of the facility, please contact the food pantry at 877-7380 or the church office at 877-7332.