The Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry is open: Mondays 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; and Fridays 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Food is distributed, and donations are gratefully accepted during business hours. We also have collection boxes in the vestibule at Fareway and at Inspire Continuing Care for donations. The Clothing room is open to all residents of Geneseo and Atkinson on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The Food Pantry will be closed on Monday, September 5, in observance of Labor Day.
Because of the community’s amazing support, the Food Pantry provided food and emergency assistance to 120 households in July. Food distributions in July were equivalent to 4,013 meals. Year-to-date, Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry has provided enough food for 28,261 meals! The number of guests receiving food increased 17% from June to July 2022. The number of guests receiving food increased 179% from July 2021 to July 2022. There is a great and growing need in our community, so every donation is greatly appreciated!
The Food Pantry distributed free school supplies to 109 students in the Geneseo School District on August 11 and 12. The number of students signed up for school supplies was more than twice as many as last year. Thanks to our generous donors, we were able to provide most of the supplies on each student’s list!
Due to the program’s popularity, the Food Pantry now hosts two Foot Care Clinics each month. Please call 944-3165 or email geneseopantry1@gmail.com to make an appointment.
Community Health Care set up a booth at the Food Pantry on August 2 to provide information about low-cost health care services. Services provided by Community Health Care assist in the development and maintenance of individuals and families to enable them to be functional, effective, and healthy.
The Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry hosted a White House Conference Listening Session on August 10. The White House is undertaking an initiative that will culminate in September with the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, Health. As part of this initiative, River Bend Food Bank is working with their partner agencies to hold 2-3 listening sessions (of 4-10 people each). This is an historic event since the last White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health was held in 1969; more than 50-years ago! River Bend Food Bank chose the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry as a location for a Listening Session because of the work the Food Pantry team does to assist people experiencing hunger. The goal of the sessions was to collect information from food pantry guests, to be shared with the people in our nation’s Capitol about what people across this country need to thrive – meaning living a full life where they feel they can grow, be healthy, and reach their potential – rather than just “getting by.” Six Food Pantry guests attended, and the discussion was beneficial to all who attended.
The Food Pantry is blessed to receive regular donations from the following local stores: Fareway, Nosh, Dollar Fresh, and Dollar General. Thank you for your amazing support!
If your family, business or organization would like to donate ingredients for a Thanksgiving basket for our guests, here is a list of what is needed: Turkey or ham, box mashed potato mix or bag of potatoes, gravy mix or jar of gravy, French fried onions, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, can sweet potatoes or yams, cranberry sauce, corn, creamed corn, corn muffin mix, pie filling, pumpkin, evaporated milk, pie crust mix, stuffing mix, rolls, sour cream, butter, eggs, whipped topping, ½ gallon milk. Thanksgiving baskets will be packed on November 15. Our guests really appreciate any items that are donated for Thanksgiving baskets!
If your family, business, or organization is interested in providing Christmas gifts for a family in need, please call 944-3165 or email geneseopantry1@gmail.com. Please indicate the size of the family for whom you would like to provide gifts. Donors will be provided with their sponsored family’s wish list on November 1.
The Food Pantry is accepting donations of empty egg cartons and clean plastic or paper bags. We are also in need of children’s clothing and small appliances.
Food needs: Sugar, oil, vinegar, cereal, and salad dressing.
Non-food needs: Laundry soap, shampoo, conditioner, dish soap, and Kleenex.