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 Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The Food Pantry will be closed December 23 & 24 and December 30 & 31.
Because of the community’s generous support, the Food Pantry provided food and emergency assistance to 278 households in September. Food distributions in September were equivalent to 8,287 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 101,471 meals to 2,790 households. On average we had provided (ask Mike) meals to 232 households monthly.
Do you want to achieve significant life changes and receive help and support setting and reaching your goals? Then the Five Loaves program at Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry is for you! Call 309-944-3165 or visit geneseofoodpantry.org for more information.
If you, your family, business or organization would like to donate ingredients for a Thanksgiving or Christmas food basket for our guests, here is a list of what is needed: turkey or ham, stuffing, mashed potato mix, gravy mix, French cut green beans, cream of mushroom soup, French fried onions, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes or yams, creamed evaporated milk, pie crust or pie crust mix, juice or sparkling juice, aluminum roasting pan for turkey. Donations may be dropped off at the Food Pantry during business hours: Monday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday or Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., or Friday 9:00 a.m. – noon. Non-perishable ingredients also may be placed in the donation bins at Fareway, NOSH or Inspire Continuing Care. Thank you for your support!
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 16.
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.
Dietitians from Hammond-Henry Hospital presented class on Oct. 17. They will teach a class on healthy cooking on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 1:00 at the Food Pantry. Participants can learn how to prepare healthy and delicious dishes, try samples, and take home recipes! The classes are free and open to the public
Our Volunteer of the Month, Donna Piekos, has been volunteering at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry for one year. She assists guests in the food room and stocks shelves. Donna has four daughters and seven granddaughters. She enjoys playing pickle ball, biking, sewing, and walking. Donna said the best thing about volunteering at the Food Pantry is helping in any way needed. She enjoys meeting new people – it’s her favorite thing! Thank you for all you do for the Food Pantry, Donna!
Food needs: Taco shells, tortillas, refried beans, salsa, and shredded cheese
Non-food needs: Shampoo, conditioner, kleenex, household cleaners, and food storage bags.
Clothing room needs: Fall & cold weather clothing items, hats, gloves, boots, snowpants, men’s clothing (all sizes), women’s XS clothing, sheet sets, socks.