·Feel empowered to live a more functional, effective, and healthy life
·Receive help developing and reaching goals
·Pursue your goals and ambitions with the support and guidance of your coach
Then the Five Loaves program is perfect for you!
Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry’s Five Loaves program aims to serve the whole person. Five Loaves strives to positively impact your sense of wellness – economic, education, health, environment, and community, andempower you to live a more functional, effective, and healthy life.
Five Loaves provides in-depth, one-on-one coaching to help you design a plan you create to meet your needs and aspirations. Your coach will help you set long-term goals, and then break those goals down into smaller, more manageable steps. Your coach will also support and encourage you throughout the process. This program is free and confidential.
To register, call 309-944-3165 or email geneseopantry1@gmail.com
School Supplies
For some children starting their school year off with new school supplies is a luxury. Each July and August we collect and distribute school supplies to children who may otherwise have to do without. While doing your own school shopping, why not add a few things for another child? School supply lists may be obtained by going to Geneseo Schools and clicking on supply lists.
Backpack Blessings
Backpack Blessings is a local mission of First United Methodist Church being implemented in the Geneseo School District to address the needs of children. The reality of hungry children in our school district has inspired and motivated the program to take shape. This program was organized in partnership with the Geneseo School District and was initiated in March 2011. It is coordinated and supported by volunteers of all faiths and caring members of our community.
Backpack Blessings provides nutritious kid-friendly food to children who live in “food insecure” households (households without consistent access to food) to get them through the weekend when school breakfast and lunch are not available. This program is at no cost to the child. The number of children who are recipients of the program is identified by the school counselors, teachers, school nurses as needing food to assist through the weekend. They give a number to the program coordinator. There is no disclosure of names.
The program is available to anyone who asks to be a recipient. This can be done through the Counselor’s Office at any school in the Geneseo District.
Backpack Blessings fills a gallon plastic bag with 6-8 food items such as granola bars, cereal bars, cereal, canned fruit, milk, instant oatmeal, and canned meals such as stew, soup, or ravioli. The bags are delivered weekly. The school then discreetly places the bag in the child’s backpack on the last day of school each week and prior to holiday weekends. Fareway currently partners with the program and supplies the food at cost as much as possible. A few items come from the River Bend Food Bank.
Anyone who wants to help in any way—packing and delivering bags is welcome. Fundraising and increasing awareness are also important in continuing the program since it is supported by donations only. Anyone wishing to help in these areas is also needed.
Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets
Many people cannot afford a traditional holiday meal. There’s no money to pay the bills let alone everything needed for a traditional feast.
The Food Pantry provides baskets of everything needed for a holiday feast. Anyone interested in
receiving a food basket should contact the Food Pantry.
Holiday Gifts Program
If your church, organization, business, family, or other group wishes to provide gifts for a family for the holidays, please fill out a contact form here and indicate what size family you would like to provide gifts for. During the first week of November, you will receive a list of items family members would like, their sizes, favorite colors, etc. Gifts should be dropped off at the Food Pantry by December 15. This program that has blessed many families over the years through the generosity of donors.
