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, Nosh, 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 November 23 and 24 for Thanksgiving.
For Thanksgiving 2023, you will not need to sign up for a Thanksgiving Food Basket! If you have received food from the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry in the last twelve months, you are automatically signed up! Thanksgiving food baskets will be available for pickup on November 16, 17, and 20 during business hours.
Because of the community’s generous support, the Food Pantry provided food and emergency assistance to 204 households in August. Combined food distributions in August were equivalent to 7,436 meals. Thanks to the many donors who make all this possible!
Thank you to all who attended the Soup Supper Fundraiser September 15 at First Methodist Church in Geneseo. The Food Pantry has experienced a large increase in guests needing food in the last year, and these funds will help buy food to make sure everyone in need has enough.
A representative from River Bend Food Bank will be available to help guests apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and answer questions about SNAP on Tuesday, October 3, 9:00-11:00.
The Food Pantry partners with local nurses to provide two Foot Care Clinics each month. Nurses soak feet, trim and file toenails, help with ingrown toenails, and give a light foot massage with lotion. Please call 309-944-3165 or email geneseopantry1@gmail.com to make an appointment. Cost is $37. Food Pantry Guests are provided with a voucher for this service.
Hammond-Henry Hospital Dietitians presented a class about cooking with fresh fall fruits and vegetables at the Food Pantry on Tuesday, September 12, and 7 people attended this free class. The next dietitian class will be held on Thursday, October 19 at 1:00. A panel discussion on diabetes management was presented by Hammond-Henry Hospital staff on September 18, and eleven people attended. We are grateful for our partnership with the hospital to promote good health at the Food Pantry!
The Food Pantry is collecting food for Thanksgiving food baskets, which may be dropped off during business hours, and non-perishable donations may be placed in donation bins at Fareway, Nosh, or Inspire Continuing Care by November 14. The following items are needed: Turkey or ham, stuffing, mashed potato mix or bag of potatoes, gravy mix or gravy, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, French fried onions, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes or yams, creamed corn, corn, sour cream, corn muffin mix, rolls, pie filling, pie crust mix, whipped topping, butter, juice, or sparkling juice. Thank you for your help providing our guests with what they need for their Thanksgiving dinner!
If you, your family, or organization would like to provide holiday gifts for a family in need, fill out the form at https://www.geneseofoodpantry.org/adopt-a-family/ The Food Pantry will contact you with a family’s wish list including sizes, favorite colors, etc. on November 1. Gifts should be delivered by Friday, December 15. You can make the holidays special for a local family in need!
Our Volunteer of the Month, Mo Goodarzi, has been volunteering at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry for about one year. He sorts clothing, stocks the freezer, assists guests while they choose their food, and does heavy lifting. He has a wife, Katie, and son, Niko. Mo enjoys weightlifting, soccer, riding bikes with his son, and boating on the Mississippi river. He said the best thing about volunteering at the Food Pantry is meeting and helping people – the staff and volunteers are awesome! Mo’s most memorable experience at the Food Pantry is preparing school supplies for “back to school”. He has a 7-year-old at Northside and loves the excitement that comes with a new school year for the kids. Thank you for all your help, Mo!
Food needs: Cooking oil, salt, egg noodles, crackers, and 100% juice.
Non-food needs: Toilet paper, dish soap, lotion, conditioner, and band aids.
Clothing room needs: Men’s smaller size casual clothes, shoes, towels, and sheets.