Hands Against Hunger

At noon on December 7, right after the Sunday School Christmas program, we're hoping to line up more than 100 men, youth, women and children from the church and pass food and other items, hand to hand, from the church to the Cokato Food Shelf about 2 1/2 blocks away. The social ministry committee will begin collecting for those in need on Sunday, November 23. We'll collect until the 7th when we'll symbolically pass the items in a long line.

According to Russ Irvin and Isabelle Mattson, the items especially needed are unopened, not outdated foods such as
+ canned vegetables (beans, peas, corn)
+ canned soups (tomato, chicken noodle, vegetable)
+ canned fruits
+ ramen noodles
+ macaroni & cheese
+ soda crackers
+ canned meat such as spam
+ cereal
+ boxed mashed potatoes
+ pancake mix & syrup.
Also needed are other personal care products such as toilet paper, hand soap, diapers (size 2, 3, 4), and, of course cash for vouchers providing dairy, meat, fresh fruit & veggies. Not needed at the present time are canned "spaghetti o's," canned ravioli and similar canned pasta dishes -- the food shelf has a large supply of those.

The food shelf is serving many large families each week. We anticipate a greater need this winter due to the economic downturn.

Thanks to the Social Ministry committee for making these plans, and, of course, to the wonderful food shelf volunteers!