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 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 on November 24 and 25 for Thanksgiving, December 23-26, and December 30-January 2 for the holidays.
Because of the community’s generous support, the Food Pantry provided food and emergency assistance to 129 households in September. Food distributions in September were equivalent to 4,497 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 37,011 meals to 1,102 households. On average we had provided 3,084 meals to 92 households monthly.
The Food Pantry partners with Unity Point to provide two Foot Care Clinics each month except December. Please call 944-3165 or email geneseopantry1@gmail.com to make an appointment.
Thank you to all who have contributed items for Thanksgiving food baskets! These baskets will be distributed to guests who signed up on November 17 and 18.
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, can 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 14. These baskets will help stretch the budgets of those in need this holiday season. Anyone in need of a Christmas food basket may sign up at the Food Pantry.
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.
On September 28, Food Pantry Director Mike Sigwalt provided information about the Food Pantry at the IMPACT (Integrated Model Police and Crisis Team) Expo. The mission of the Geneseo Police Department IMPACT Task Force is to provide a coordinated, professional, and compassionate police response to individuals affected by mental illness, substance abuse or in need of crisis intervention. Food Pantry staff is excited to collaborate with the Geneseo Police Department.
On November 1, Community Health Care will be at the Food Pantry to provide information about lower-cost health care options.
Our Volunteer of the Month, Barbara Sigwalt, has been volunteering at the Food Pantry for one year. Barb helps guests check in and get food, sorts clothing, restocks shelves, and translates documents into Spanish. She has also worked on special projects such as the Scouting for Food drive and school supplies inventory. Barb has a husband, two sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandsons. She enjoys reading, puzzles, yoga, swimming, and staying in touch with friends. Barb said the best thing about volunteering at the Food Pantry is helping people – she always feels better after working at the Food Pantry. She said great people volunteer and work there. Thank you, Barb!
Food needs: Pasta, cereal, salsa, tortillas, and juice.
Non-food needs: Toilet paper, dish soap, laundry detergent, band aids, and garbage bags.