Still serving — 04/28/08

April 25, 2008 03:56 pm

— It’s likely that many of those who live near the Cannonsburg Trinity United Methodist Church Food Pantry do not even know it exists. But for the approximately 275 Boyd County families who monthly receive food from the pantry in the converted parsonage next to the church, the pantry is a godsend that helps them put food on their tables. Without the pantry, some of those families likely would go hungry.
There have been times in recent months when the shelves at the pantry have been nearly as bare as those in Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard. In fact, at one time the pantry considered requesting CAReS to cease directing clients to it. However, that idea was nixed by operational manager Walter Schuster.
“This is a faith-based thing out here,” Schuster said. Instead, Schuster told CAReS to “keep sending people and we’ll keep giving them what we got.” The next day, an unanticipated delivery of food arrived at the pantry, convincing the volunteers that “God is with us.”
While Cannonsburg Trinity United Methodist Church does not have a large congregation, the pantry is hardly a small operation. It distributes approximately 1,200 pounds of non-perishable food each week.
CAReS — Community Assistance and Referral Services — screens potential clients of the pantry along with pantries maintained by Centenary United Methodist, First United Methodist and Hillcrest-Bruce Mission in Ashland. That assures that the need of those requesting assistance is genuine and that there is no duplication of services.
While located next to the church, the food pantry is a completely separate 501(c)3 entity with its own board of directors. In fact, the pantry was started by a former pastor of East Fork United Methodist Church and moved its operations to the former Trinity United Methodist Church when that congregation combined with the Cannonsburg church. The pantry was moved to its current location when the Trinity property was sold. Pantry volunteers come from throughout the county.
The pantry receives food from Huntington Area Food Bank, River Cities Harvest, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Christian Appalachian Project. The amount and type of food received each month varies greatly. Food purchased through private donations help fill in the gaps.
While the pantry has been forced to reduce the amount of food it gives per family, it refuses to turn anyone away. Donations to the pantry can be mailed to 11620 Midland Trail, Cannonsburg, Ky. 41102.
For a relatively small church to oversee such a large pantry is indeed a step in faith. We commend those volunteers at the pantry for helping to meet a real need in rural Boyd County. May the pantry’s ministry continue.