GRATITUDE FOR ALL WHO MAKE THE FOOD PANTRY POSSIBLE

As we come to the end of this year and look back, a river of gratitude flows through the hearts of those of us who are involved with the Spring Green Community Pantry. So many people giving so much of themselves.

In her article last month, Kathy Steffan wrote an incredible description of what our volunteers do to obtain, sort and shelve food and prepare orders for distribution, all the while working in a space that has become way too small. Without the help of these generous people who show up every month and give so much of themselves, the Spring Green Community Pantry would not function. I invite you to read or reread Kathy’s piece. It is posted just before this one.

Now we would like to take a moment in this busy month to express our deep gratitude for all these volunteers.

As Kathy mentioned, in addition to those who obtain, sort, box and distribute the food, there are many others behind the scene whose contributions are essential.  

This includes the Pantry’s board members who meet regularly to organize, plan and keep financial records current. This also includes the webmaster who created our website and keeps it up to date and those who write articles, those who focus on obtaining grants and donations, and those families and businesses that donate needed funds especially needed now that we have broken ground for our new and larger building.

We thank the Spring Green Community Church which has provided space at minimum rent to do this work. We have long ago outgrown it, and now the church needs the space for its programs.

We can never forget our manager, Heather, for her time and dedication. Heather makes dozens of phone calls and many trips to get food from different sources and has a myriad of other tasks that we can’t even imagine.

We thank our local businesses, families and individual donors, including those who donate in honor of a beloved who has died, and those who leave a legacy of money for the Pantry in their will.

Finally. there is another group of people to thank—perhaps the most important group of all. I am referring to those people who actually use the Pantry each month to put food on their tables. As volunteers continue to give their time, energy and funds, those who use the Pantry give all of us who volunteer an opportunity to give of ourselves. As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” We thank those who use the Pantry and allow us to give and grow.

Beginning in January, we plan to interview some of the people who use the Pantry. We thank those who have volunteered to share their experiences. Check out the website to read the first of these stories.

It is easy to see just how much is involved in making our food pantry function smoothly. We thank all of you, not just for giving time and energy, but for doing it with joyous hearts.

May your holidays be peaceful. May 2026 bring each of us the gift of inner peace.

Mary Friedel-Hunt