Local group looks to ‘fill the pantry’
It’s that time of the year again when E.G. Landis Jewelers in Gilbertsville collects food items for the Community Food Pantry located at 200 W. Spring Street, Boyertown. The Community Food Pantry is both a place and a program. It provides food to those in the community who cannot currently meet their family’s nutritional needs. Anyone in the geographic area served by the Boyertown Area School District plus the townships of Hereford, District, Pike, Oley and Amity – is eligible for assistance from the Community Food Pantry. This Community Food Program and the Holiday Meal Program are dependent on area churches, service organizations, local schools, individuals and businesses who donate to them. In these hard times with less donations coming in, we feel it is critical to collect, donate and get the word out to the public that there is a definite local need. Items we collect and donate STAY local, they do not go out of the Boyertown Area School District. At times the local pantry is supplemented with items from the Greater Berks Food Bank, which is also stretched to the limit with less and less support and donations.
The following list of items is currently their priority need:
• HAMBURGER HELPER
• PANCAKE MIX AND SYRUP
• CANS OF SOUP and CRACKERS
• CANS OF PASTA: SPAGHETTIOS, RAVIOLI, BEEFARONI
• CONDIMENTS: MAYONNAISE, KETCHUP, MUSTARD • SPAGHETTI SAUCE • JELLY AND PEANUT BUTTER • BOXED POTATOES • LAUNDRY DETER- GENT & DISH SOAP**
• Personal Care Items: BARS OF SOAP, SHAMPOO, TOOTHPASTE, DEODORANT**
(**Denotes items that CANNOT be purchased with food stamps.)
You can consult the Food Programs Manager, Nancy at 610-367- 6957 to organize a drive or visit www.boyertownareamulti- service.org with any questions. E.G. LANDIS JEWELERS at 1000 E. Philadelphia Avenue in Gilbertsville is providing FREE collection bags and a small gift of appreciation to anyone who drops off a bag filled with items. The items can be left on the front porch after store hours, dropped off in the store during store hours or taken directly to the Boyertown Multi-Service.
Monetary donations should be made out to “Boyertown Area Multi-Service” and sent directly to:
Boyertown Multi- Service 200 W. Spring Street, Boyertown, PA 19512
Inspiration for “FILL THE PANTRY” came from all of us at our store discussing what it would be like to be 15 years old and not having toothpaste, shampoo, or soap. No child should go to school hungry and if we can make a difference right in our own school district, what are we waiting for? We immediately started to bring items in and storing them in our garage. If you will help us fill our garage, we will load up our cars and deliver to the Pantry in December. If you miss either delivery date E.G. LANDIS JEWELERS c ol l ec t s throughout the year realizing children are not just in need during the holidays. Some local community minded people (wonderful people!) drop things off every month! Follow us on Facebook for updates on our collection.