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 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The Food Pantry will be closed on November 23 and 24 for Thanksgiving, December 22-25, and December 29-January 1 for the holidays.
Because of the community’s generous support, the Food Pantry provided food and emergency assistance to 187 households in September. Food distributions in September were equivalent to 5,920 meals. As the number of guests receiving food is increasing, every donation is greatly appreciated! Our fiscal year ended on September 30th. For the year we had provided 76,227 meals to 1,778 households. On average we had provided 6,352 meals to 148 households monthly.
The Food Pantry partners with nurses to provide two Foot Care Clinics each month except December. Nurses soak feet, trim and file toenails, assist with ingrown toenails, and give a light massage with lotion. The charge is $37, but guests who receive food from the Food Pantry receive a voucher. Please call 944-3165 or email geneseopantry1@gmail.com to make an appointment.
We were happy to partner with National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) to provide an eight-session nationally developed program for those supporting an adult living with mental illness. Several individuals participated in this program weekly from September 19-November 7.
Dietitians from Hammond-Henry Hospital presented a “Cooking with Pumpkin” class on Oct. 19. They will teach a class on food safety on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 1:00 at the Food Pantry. The classes are free and open to the public!
Thank you to all who have contributed items for Thanksgiving food baskets! These baskets will be distributed to guests who receive food from the Food Pantry on November 16, 17, and 20.
If you, your family, business or organization would like to donate ingredients for a Christmas food 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, canned 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, and foil roasting pans for turkey. Christmas baskets will be packed on December 15. These baskets will help stretch the budgets of those in need this holiday season.
Thank you to everyone who signed up to provide holiday gifts for families in need! Donors will be provided with their sponsored family’s wish list on November 1, and gifts can be delivered to the Food Pantry by December 15.
Food needs: Tomato juice, Low sodium chunky style soups, low sodium pasta sauce, crackers, and coffee.
Non-food needs: Denture adhesive and cleaner, mouthwash, toilet cleaner, pain relievers, and diapers size 4-6.