May 2024 Newsletter
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, Inspire Continuing Care, and NOSH 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 Memorial Day, May 27.
Because of the community’s generous support, the Food Pantry provided food and assistance to 212 households in March. Combined food distributions in March were equivalent to 6,534 meals. Thanks to the many donors who make all this possible!
The Food Pantry partners with two 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.
Dietitians from Hammond-Henry Hospital taught a free class on April 9 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 return to the Food Pantry to teach a free class on May 16 at 1:00 p.m. The public is invited.
Thank you to the Geneseo BSA Scouts who participated in Scouting for Food, and to all the Geneseo residents who donated food. Troop 131 collected 621 items on March 16, which is equivalent to 544 pounds of food and 453 meals. Thank you to troop 100 and Pack 100 for collecting items on April 6. Great job!
Thank you to the Geneseo Girl Scouts for donating food and packing 70 baskets of ingredients for Easter dinner for our guests and candy baskets for children. Our guests really appreciated this gesture!
Freedom House will provide a lunch and learn where you can learn about state and federal programs available to domestic violence survivors. The presentation will be held at the Food Pantry on May 10, from noon to 1:00 p.m.
Our Volunteer of the Month, Sally Eberhardt, has been volunteering at the Food Pantry for eight months. She helps guests shop in the food room, bags and carries out groceries. Sally has a husband, Patrick, two sons, Nick and Rob, and a Labrador named Cooper. She enjoys reading, walking, baking, pickleball and being with her family. Sally said the best thing about volunteering at the Food Pantry is the kind, generous, and interesting people she has met! Sally said, “Someone at the Food Pantry always makes my day! You never know who will share a story, a recipe or a smile. There are so many folks with a positive spirit in our community. I am honored to volunteer and love the interactions with the Food Pantry guests.” Thank you for your positive attitude and your help, Sally!
At the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry, we believe it takes more than food to end hunger. The goal of Five Loaves is to build up the well being, economic strength, and overall life stability of participants. This program is a good fit for someone who wants support with setting goals and making changes in their life, and it is offered free of charge!
Five Loaves provides in-depth one-on-one coaching to help you design a plan tailored to your needs. Our coach will help you break down long-term goals into smaller action steps, and support and encourage you along the way.
Your coach will:
To register, please call 309-944-3165, email geneseopantry1@gmail.com, or visit our website: www.geneseopantry.com
Food needs: Coffee, Sugar, creamy peanut butter, cereal, rice sides, 100% juice, crackers, pasta sauce, granola/ cereal bars, cake and brownie mix, chunky soups, and pancake mix.
Non-food needs: Toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, cleaners, body wash, laundry, detergent, kleenex, paper towels.
Clothing room needs: All sizes men’s and children’s clothing, towels and sheet sets.