The Student Food Pantry continues to be open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 pm. ECM Chaplain Ryan Baker-Fones reports that on Wednesday, April 1, they gave out 97 bags of food!
To keep everyone as safe as possible, they prepare bags of food ahead of time. Students line up -- with good physical distancing -- and get dried, canned, and produce bags from the table at the front garage door, then head to the back door for a choice of refrigerated and frozen goods, some bread products, and a volunteer giving each person their options, salmon, beef, chicken, frozen green beans, onions, milk, yogurt, cheese, etc. The Food Pantry offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.
Last week’s volunteers included two food bag production people, Ryan himself and an ECM resident, and then two student interns in the garage for distribution. Another team of two or three goes to the FFLC warehouse to get the food and helps to prepare it for distribution, stocking the fridge/freezers and preparing produce bags.
Most of the food currently comes from Food For Lane County, so what’s on offer varies depending on what FFLC provides that week. There are also some costs to be covered, so if you miss filling the basket in the narthex at church, you might consider making a donation to help out. Ryan says:
Yes, monetary donation help us to buy food extras, to pay our interns, gas and maintenance for the van, electricity for the pantry, etc. People can easily donate through St. Mary’s website.
Go here to our Give page, then click the “Give” button and fill out the donation form, selecting "Student Food Pantry" as the fund you wish to donate to.
You can also send a check to St. Mary's made out to "Student Food Pantry." St. Mary's mailing address is 1300 Pearl St, Eugene, OR 97401. Staff continues to pick up mail.
Our goal is minimal contact, minimal time spent in proximity AND distributing good food to students to keep them healthy!
For the latest information visit the Food Pantry’s Facebook page or email Ryan Baker-Fones.
