VISTA Volunteer Organizes Student Volunteers for Food Pantry and more...

Community groups support pantry
By Cathy Gilbertie Knipper
Friday, December 15, 2006 - Updated: 09:33 AM EST


They are businesses and community organizations. They are individuals and groups. Some, like the recipients who frequent the doors Cupboard of Kindness, Norton’s food pantry, come only for a short time, some are regulars, but all have a common goal — to support those in need.

Valerie Goddard, director of Cupboard of Kindness, says there are so many in town who help out, it is difficult to identify only a few groups. From Selectman Robert Kimball who found a permanent site for the pantry to the schools who run many food drives to individual businesses like Roche Brothers and Norton Car Wash which provide continual monthly support, Goddard said she welcomes all donations from the community.

“People ask, ‘What can we do to make a difference?’” Goddard said. “If every business had a food drive, that would make an enormous difference.”

For Ryan Henke, director of the Wheaton College Service, Spirituality and Social Responsibility office, the food pantry is part of the school’s mission.

“We like to show students there’s a need in your local community and you can make a difference where you are,” Henke said.

Henke , an AmeriCorps*VISTA member, began work at Wheaton in July, and reinstituted the freshman orientation community service program, where incoming students volunteer in the community. Four freshmen spent an afternoon cleaning and stocking the pantry during the first week of September.

During homecoming weekend, Wheaton’s Class of 1956 donated $1,500 to the food pantry and Henke challenged students, staff and alumni to meet the donation in a cans-to-dollars match. The three-week food drive netted 1,587 non-perishable items for the pantry.

Henke said students enjoy volunteering in the community, but for many students, transportation is an issue, which makes the pantry a perfect match. The pantry is a short walk from campus and he knows students are safe and welcome there.

To read the rest of this article that can give you some good ideas for volunteer projects, click the link.