Those who volunteer with the St. Charles United Methodist Church Food Pantry in Destrehan have made quite the impact on their community, especially over the past few years.
It is partnered with the Second Harvest Food Bank as of 2-1/2 years ago, and since that time the number of people who United Methodist have been able to help keep from going hungry has exploded.
Pantry Director Mary Ann Schindler said the food bank operation began years ago on a much smaller scale, helping 10 families a month. That number grew to about 100 a month, and last month it was up to 200 families. Last year, it’s estimated the food bank helped feed more than 9,000 people.
“To me, that’s the true blessing,” said Schindler. “We’re not here doing it trying to get anything for ourselves. You get the blessing from giving. They get to not only to receive but to give, so they get that blessing and want to get it.”
A big part of that growth has been due to the partnership with Second Harvest, which helps provide food to the operation, allowing the food bank and its volunteers to feed a steady stream of people each week.
That said, Schindler said it wouldn’t be possible without the donations from the kindhearted.
“There are times our shelves are completely empty, and we wonder how in the world we’re going to be able to give out bags next week,” Schindler said. “But, a school, a family, 10 families will come with something and all of a sudden we have the food on the shelves to be able to hand it out again. Every can of tuna or jar of apple sauce makes a difference.”
Ditto for the volunteers, some of whom have decided to give back after being helped by the food bank as recipients.
“We have more people working from community than from my individual church. It takes so many people … there are those who come here and never miss (a week),” Schindler said. “They’re such a blessing. To see so many caring enough to spend their time, it’s truly amazing.”
For Louria Charles, who jumped at the opportunity to help others just as she has been helped. Charles has been volunteering regularly, taking a shift each Wednesday morning.
“It is rewarding, because they helped me,” Charles said. “ I’m on a fixed income. I come and get my food. When I come, I come early enough to help out, then I go stand in line and get mine. I come every Wednesday, if I don’t have a doctor’s appointment.
“Seeing when they leave out with baskets, with a smile on their face. That’s the best part. They get something to go home and cook. It’s helping people. A lot of people get hungry and are homeless. It’s a good feeling to help.”
Harriet Young, meanwhile, has been a regular volunteer not just with the food bank, but with other organizations as well. She began a few years ago with the pantry before needing assistance herself; when her income level fell, she became a recipient herself on an as-needed basis.
“I don’t always receive,” Young said. “During the summer months, my son helps out. But I still volunteer. I’m here helping people.”
Young said volunteering is a way for her to keep busy and lend a helping hand.
“My interest has always been to help people,” she said. “I’m a Christian. I love to do things to help others. I really like the atmosphere here. Everything is so organized and it allows us to help so many … we never turn people away.”
Through Young’s contributions, the food bank earned another helper in her daughter, Catherine Colbert.
“One day I came to pick up my mom and it looked like they needed some help,” Colbert said. “I wanted to lend a hand. They welcomed me with open arms and made it known they’d love for me to come back.”
At times, the faces in line to receive are familiar ones.“I’ll see people I went to school with, or their parents, and we’re able to help them out,” Colbert said. “It’s really rewarding to be able to lend them a hand.”
Another volunteer, Tracy Lee, also began helping through a parent.
“I brought my daddy here when he got sick,” Lee said. “He liked to help. He’d give people rides here and back. One day I asked if they needed volunteers and they told me they did.”
Lee said the team of volunteers makes the work enjoyable.“We all have a good time together,” she said. “It’s a fun place to be.
“I appreciate giving what we can give. Nobody’s going hungry.”
Schindler said many people may not realize the amount of those going hungry locally.
“People have the false impression that we’re in a rich parish,” she said. “They forget there are people who are hungry in St. Charles Parish. The Parish declared March “Need to Feed” month last year, and I think it was enlightening to a lot of people.
“We come here and we work. You leave tired. But we know we’re doing good for people, and that keeps us going.”
For information on how to donate or volunteer, contact Schindler at 985-764-8386.
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