The Salem Elks presented checks totaling $6,000 to two area food pantries on Wednesday evening.
The Elks grant writer Mike Hooe says the money is coming from the Elk’s National Foundation’s ‘Beacon Grant’. Checks for $3,000 apiece were presented to representatives of the Salem Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and the Helping Hands Food Pantry at the Gospel Lighthouse Church on US 50 between Salem and Odin.
“We decided this year because of the increase demand around the holidays for the food pantries, we would use it for that. We divided the money up, it was $6000 total, and we divided it between the two food pantries.”
The President of the Salem Ministerial Alliance Ray DeLao says they have seen 180 vehicles go through their drive though food pantry on giveaway dates in November and December.
“Just with the prices of groceries going up, and people are struggling to buy food, pay rent and get medicine, and all the other things they have to do to provide for their family.”
DeLao says the Salem Community High School Food Drive was a great help, but they can still use food donations. Ramon Noodles and Macaroni and Cheese are at the top of the list, but any non-perishable items are appreciated. They can be dropped off at area churches or the Salem Community Activity Center. The giveaways are at 8:30 on the first and third Thursday of each month. You need a voucher from an area minister to participate.
The Gospel Lighthouse Helping Hands Food Pantry currently has a client list of 800, about 400 who show up between the two monthly distributions. One of those assisting, Mike Gasparini, says each family coming through the drive receives about $100 in food including meat, pizza, dairy and produce.
“Donation will help tremendously. As we know the price of gas and food and with the economy the way it is, it gives us the opportunity to purchase more food, but also to do the runs and continue to serve those people. Now they restructured and we are going to have to drive further so this will help a lot.”
Gasparini says a lot of their food will be picked up in Bloomington now, instead of Fairfield.
Members of the Helping Hands Food Pantry accept a $3,000 check from the Salem Elks.
