MOUNT GILEAD — Many Morrow County families and individuals in need will have a special meal this Christmas thanks to groups, business and individuals who have contributed to the county food pantry.
Morrow County Food Pantry co-director Teresa Shipman said that 240 hams will be included in food boxes given at the Food Pantry that is located at Entrance B in the Community Services Building.
Co-director Brenda Harden said she is thankful and amazed at the generosity of so many groups and individuals in the county who donated both food and money to make up the special holiday baskets this year.
Morrow County Hospital employees had two food drives for donations this year. Harden said they received $600 from one of the hospital departments to purchase food.
The Morrow County Sheriff’s department employees donated and Sheriff John Hinton is a Food Pantry board member. Hinton also helped pack the holiday food boxes for families.
Many Chamber of Commerce businesses donated and Emily Shaffer at Gardens & Gifts in Mount Gilead is having a drive for donations. Her customers can designate an amount for the food pantry for foods that are needed.
“Morrow County is so good at having people work together and give when there is a need,” Harden said. The Food Pantry also cooperates with other county food pantries and shares with extra items they have such as bread, vegetables and other items.
The MCF Pantry has also been “blessed” with venison from hunters and farmers in the area who bring their deer to Hoffman Meats in Cardington where it is butchered. They then donate the meat to the food pantry.
Because of all the generous donations, Harden said they have been able to give special holiday food boxes and baskets in addition to the usual three-day supply they give to families. Each holiday box has the fixings for a Christmas meal with ham, potatoes, corn and other traditional holiday foods.
Shipman said the Morrow County Food Pantry serves about 50 families and individuals every month with a three-day food box. This can help tide a family over the three days from when they apply for food stamps to when they are able to get groceries with the stamps.
“We are thankful to be able to serve many more families in need this year at Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Harden said. “There is so much need in the county and everyone should have something special for their holiday meal.”
Morrow County Food Pantry hours are 9 a.m. to noon on Monday and Thursday at Entrance C at the Community Services Building at 619 W. Marion Road in Mount Gilead.
Details about other food pantries in Morrow County are available on the Morrow County Food Pantries’ Facebook page for Cardington CCFP, Edison Enterprise Baptist, Iberia Presbyterian, Marengo UMC, No Limits in Edison and North Woodbury Alliance Church.
