Mel Small and Dr. Don Warden, two of the coordinators who volunteer to help with the program, said that new client families came in and enrolled even during the time they were officially closed during the Yamboree (week of Oct. 14-20).
The pantry is sponsored by the Upshur County Ministerial Fellowship and housed in a store front building donated by the First Baptist Church in the 200 block of Buffalo St., just west of the square.
“Despite being closed on Wednesday during the Yamboree because the (downtown) streets were blocked off, we still had 30 more families than ever before come in for food boxes,” said Dr. Warden.
Small said this brought the total served for October to 591, representing 1,609 people, 104 more than ever before. Many people are seeking help because of unemployment in the poor economy.
“We gave out all our quota of commodity boxes, which was 131,” Dr. Warden said.
He said they gave out salad mix, grapefruit and potatoes to go with the boxes.
“We would like to thank everyone who helped in the parking lot during the Yamboee, and everyone who parked with us,” Dr. Warden said.
They rented out parking spaces on the north side of Cass St., across from the church’s fellowship hall.
“The money raised was enough to buy food for more than 500 families,” Dr. Warden said.
He and Small asked that if anyone knows of a family in Upshur County who needs food to help feed their family, “please tell them to contact us at 210 Buffalo St. on either Monday or Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon.”
If they live outside the county, they will be put in touch with a pantry in their neighborhood.
“Thank you for your support and prayers. They are being answered,” Dr. Warden said.
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