Golden Years hosts mobile food pantry

It was a busy day at the Golden Years Club building in Brownstown on  Thursday, Oct. 30, as they opened the club’s doors to Sister Sandra and the Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry of Effingham, which partnered with Brownstown United Methodist Church, Golden Years seniors and numerous other local volunteers to  provide food for one hundred area families.

Sister Sandra Sudkamp, who directed the operation, in collaboration with Pastor Don Thomas of the UMC, said, “Families were invited to select foods from a variety of meats, produce, canned goods and packaged items. One hundred and thirty one families were served, totaling 343 people.”
She said that it was the largest turn-out for the mobile food pantry run they have had.
“An event such as this relies on the support of many generous sponsors and volunteers. There were so many helping hands that assisted the individuals who participated. Smiling faces and happy hearts abounded
Catholic Charities and the United Methodist Church recognized the businesses of Brownstown and St. Elmo that supported the event: First National Bank of Brownstown Fulk Construction, Lanca Crop Corp. and Sperry’s Service.
She also acknowledged the Brownstown High School National Honor Society  High School students and adults who gave of their time to serve the people who came and the 100 families who participated in the Mobile Food Pantry Run.
National Honor Students Volunteered
Brownstown National Honor Society High School seniors who volunteered and were a lot of help were Jacob Bloemker, Kyrstyn Fitch, Kate Kroll,  Audriana Pruett, Kaylee Sefton and Melissa Wiley.
One person commented that not only did Jacob carry their package to the car for them, he also walked back around the car to make sure her 102-year-old mother was safely in the passenger seat.
Members of the Golden Years Club and Sefton HCE, and friends and family in the community also served as volunteers.
Frank’s Orchard donated apples to be distributed to the families.

Brownstown High School National Honor Society members who assisted with the mobile food pantry were Jacob Bloemker, Kyrstyn Fitch, Katie Kroll, Audriana Pruett, Kaylee Sefton and Melissa Wiley.

Volunteers for the Catholic Charities mobile food pantry were Carolyn Garmes, LaVonne Kramer, Dee Dee Diveley, Randy Carpenter and Connie Green.

Catholic Charities truck drivers visiting Brownstown were Tony Kreke and Larry Orme.