The Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry is open: Mondays 9:00-7:00, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00-4:00, and Fridays 9:00-12:00. Food is distributed, and donations are gratefully accepted during business hours. We also have collection boxes in the vestibule at Fareway, NOSH, and Inspire Continuing Care for donations. The Clothing room is closed on Fridays. The Food Pantry will be closed on April 18 in observance of Good Friday.
Because of the community’s generous support, the Food Pantry provided food assistance to 356 households in January. Thanks to the many donors who make this possible! The Food Pantry rescues food from Aldi, Dollar Fresh, Dollar General, Fareway, Jewel, McDonald’s, NOSH, Pizza Hut, and Walmart (Geneseo and Silvis). We are grateful for our partnerships with these businesses! We also receive food from River Bend and Midwest Food Banks. Since we are able to purchase food at a low cost from River Bend Food Bank, your monetary donations can go farther than if you purchased food from a store to donate. We are grateful for any and all types of donations! Guests at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry are able to choose the food they take home, so food is not wasted, and guests get the food they need.
The Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry now has a van, a gift from the congregation at Grace United Methodist Church in Geneseo. Now that the Food Pantry picks up food from three stores outside of Geneseo, it was not feasible for the Pantry employees’ vehicles to be utilized due to traveling distance and quantity of food. Geneseo donations often require multiple trips due to the size of personal vehicles. The donation of the van will enable the Food Pantry to pick up larger quantities of food in less trips, which will help meet the increased need. Thank you, Grace United Methodist Church!
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.
Dietitians from Hammond-Henry Hospital taught a free healthy cooking class on February 20 in the Matthew 25 Center at the Food Pantry. Guests were provided with recipes for lower cost healthy dishes, a cooking demonstration, and free samples of healthy food. The Dietitians will be back to teach a class on March 11 at 1:00, and it’s open to the public.
The Food Pantry partners with local nurses to provide two Foot Care Clinics to the public 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 but Food Pantry guests are given a voucher.
The Food Pantry accepts any size clothing, accessories, kitchenware, decorations, books, games, toys, movies, and other household items. If donors have large items they want to donate, we post the name of the item on the white board, and if someone is interested in the item, we give them the phone number of the donor to arrange pickup.
Our Volunteer of the Month, Teresa Krause, has been volunteering at the Food Pantry since August. She works in the clothing room greeting customers, sorting donations, and helping guests find clothing. Teresa is married to Steve, and they have six children and 17 grandchildren. She enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and traveling. She is also active in various ministries at First Methodist Church. Teresa said the best thing about volunteering at the Food Pantry is helping people. When she retired, she wanted to give back to her community by helping people in need. Teresa said that one morning she helped a man who was starting from nothing find some housewares for his apartment. He was so grateful, and it warmed her heart. Thank you, Teresa!
If your church is planning any summer events or Vacation Bible School, please consider including a school supplies drive for the Food Pantry. A list of school supplies needed can be found at: geneseofoodpantry.org. The Food Pantry has had an increase in students in need, and we depend on donations to provide what they need for school. Thank you for your support!
Food needs: Spaghetti sauce, vegetable oil, cereal, mayonnaise and canned pineapple
Non-food needs: Lotion, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and toothpaste
Clothing room needs: Men’s clothing (all sizes), children’s clothing, bath towels, sheets, boy’s underwear and large print books.
Find us on Facebook and Instagram! Our website is www.geneseofoodpantry.org