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Food Pantry tries to make more out of less
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| Emblem Club donates Emblem Club president Jane Kruse gives a $250 check to Don Meyer, president of the Willcox Community Food Pantry to help pay for boxes. (Ainslee S. Wittig/ARN) |
By Ainslee S. Wittig/Arizona Range News
In these difficult economic times, Don Meyer is trying to make more out of less.
As president of the Willcox Community Food Pantry for 26 years, Meyer keeps volunteering and doing what he can to help feed the hungry in the area.
"We have about 50 percent less funds to work with, and about 40 percent more people to serve. This year, we need 185 Christmas food boxes - last year it was 160 boxes," Meyer said.
Food boxes are given out once a month only to those who have qualified through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), he said.
"We're really scratching. We've had three burglaries this year, and we got behind and short on food," he added.
Another cause for concern is the rise in food prices. "Food has gone up 30 percent this year," he added, "increasing our expenses."
"A lot of people and groups have contributed (food or monetary donations), but some who once contributed are no longer around, such as the Lions, Kiwanis and Optimists clubs," Meyer said. "But we really appreciated all those who do contribute, and I will be thanking them properly at the start of the new year."
A recent donor was the Women of the United Methodist Church congregation, who "gave the pantry a tremendous boost with $1,200 and 500 pounds of groceries."
"Cash goes further than the food donations, because I can buy twice as much food for the money, as I can get it at a discount. But I'm certainly not discouraging food donations!" Meyer said.
Meyer said anyone who pays taxes in Arizona can make a tax credit donation. The tax ID No. is 860724681, and checks may be mailed to 703 N. Mesa, Willcox AZ 85643.
"This comes directly off of your taxes; it's a win-win situation," Meyer said. Call 384-3357 for more information.
Registration at DES will be ongoing for the first two weeks in December, Meyer said.
Christmas boxes will be given out at the Food Pantry from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:
Wednesday, Dec. 17 - for families of five or more
Thursday, Dec. 18 - for families of three or four
Friday, Dec. 19 - for families of one or two
The Food Pantry is located next to Twin Lakes Golf Course.
The pantry will be closed for regular boxes/hours from Dec. 12 through Jan. 5. People in emergency situations may call 384-3357.
"We have no employee expenses. Everything sent to us goes to food for the boxes. We have a full crew of volunteers and everyone who works for the pantry is a volunteer, including me," he said.
"I can't find someone to be treasurer, which we need, and I'm looking for a replacement (for the president position)," he said. "I'm 92 years young, but it'll eventually have to happen."
As president of the Willcox Community Food Pantry for 26 years, Meyer keeps volunteering and doing what he can to help feed the hungry in the area.
"We have about 50 percent less funds to work with, and about 40 percent more people to serve. This year, we need 185 Christmas food boxes - last year it was 160 boxes," Meyer said.
Food boxes are given out once a month only to those who have qualified through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), he said.
"We're really scratching. We've had three burglaries this year, and we got behind and short on food," he added.
Another cause for concern is the rise in food prices. "Food has gone up 30 percent this year," he added, "increasing our expenses."
"A lot of people and groups have contributed (food or monetary donations), but some who once contributed are no longer around, such as the Lions, Kiwanis and Optimists clubs," Meyer said. "But we really appreciated all those who do contribute, and I will be thanking them properly at the start of the new year."
A recent donor was the Women of the United Methodist Church congregation, who "gave the pantry a tremendous boost with $1,200 and 500 pounds of groceries."
"Cash goes further than the food donations, because I can buy twice as much food for the money, as I can get it at a discount. But I'm certainly not discouraging food donations!" Meyer said.
Meyer said anyone who pays taxes in Arizona can make a tax credit donation. The tax ID No. is 860724681, and checks may be mailed to 703 N. Mesa, Willcox AZ 85643.
"This comes directly off of your taxes; it's a win-win situation," Meyer said. Call 384-3357 for more information.
Registration at DES will be ongoing for the first two weeks in December, Meyer said.
Christmas boxes will be given out at the Food Pantry from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:
The Food Pantry is located next to Twin Lakes Golf Course.
The pantry will be closed for regular boxes/hours from Dec. 12 through Jan. 5. People in emergency situations may call 384-3357.
"We have no employee expenses. Everything sent to us goes to food for the boxes. We have a full crew of volunteers and everyone who works for the pantry is a volunteer, including me," he said.
"I can't find someone to be treasurer, which we need, and I'm looking for a replacement (for the president position)," he said. "I'm 92 years young, but it'll eventually have to happen."
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