UPDATE
On February 18th, The Food Pantry served 66 families, comprised of 222 people.
Thank you!
Contact Cookie Shank, Food
Pantry Manager, at 540-313-
5673 or email:
foodpantry.scumc@outlook.com
For more information and how you can help.
Food Pantry
“For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in…” Matthew 25:35
The food pantry ministry of Stephens City United Methodist Church (SCUMC) has been in operation for many years, functioning in a variety of ways. It began over twenty years ago as an effort to provide food to a handful of families in the Stephens City area. This food was separated and delivered to approximately eight to twelve families once a month. When the ladies that provided this service gave it up, it then varied from food being passed out by the secretary as people came in and requested it, to another person taking it over and handing out food on a weekly basis, but still on a small scale basis.
In more recent years, the ministry has expanded dramatically by opening its doors to not only those living in the Stephens City area, but also to those in Frederick County, Winchester, and Front Royal. For many years, the pantry was open for monthly evening hours as well, but we currently have daytime hours only.
We primarily serve people on Tuesdays from 11 am through 2 pm in the back church parking lot, but we also make some home deliveries throughout the week to clients who are homebound. Families are invited to come only one time per month.
Items given out can include frozen meats, chilled dairy products, canned and boxed goods, fresh produce, pet food, and cleaning and hygiene items. The U.S. government provides much of what we are able to give, but purchases are also made by volunteers and donated by area businesses.
There are approximately 30 volunteers who help on a regular basis, allowing the food pantry to operate efficiently. Jobs include upkeep of the computer database of client information, intake of clients (including various paperwork and follow-up,) purchasing meats and cleaning items, doing the pick-up run and stocking food, separating/organizing food items within our pantry, and distribution (both at the church and direct deliveries to clients’ homes.) The number of families seen per month is averaging around 233. It has ranged from 175 – 268 during January through July.
Contact the Food Pantry.
*Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
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