Sister Johnson at the West Point Food Pantry

Here is Sister Johnson in some of her "working clothes".  Tuesday and Thursday nights - on an as-needed basis, which means about once a week - we help out at the West Point Food Pantry.  This organization is run by a wonderful couple:  Bill and Mary East.  It's an all-volunteer group, and Bill is the founder and driving force. 

Food is donated from several sources, including USDA and Wal-Mart.  WM donates items that are about to go "out of date".  This is a good deal for WM and the other grocery stores that contribute, because they get a tax deduction of full retail value for the items, and they are put to good use instead of discarded. 

The families who are the recipients (and there is a waiting list) get 3 bags.  Each bag contains about 9 - 12 items of selected types, like cereal and canned goods, frozen meat and vegetables, and staple items.  It varies from week to week, depending upon what is available, and what items are closest to expiration.  Items with short shelf life go first of course, then the rest are allocated by expiration date.  USDA, ever the bureaucracy, requires that all their items be distributed within 30 days, so that adds another level of complexity that the East's have mastered.

It's great to be a small part of this community service, and we have met some wonderful people through this effort.