Donations made to GIFT
PRESQUE ISLE — Members from Grant Memorial United Methodist Women visited the Grace Interfaith Food Table (GIFT) food bank at 11 Industrial Street Sept. 25. Michele Lombard-Fowler, volunteer director, described the facility and the services it provides to the communities of Presque Isle, Mapleton, Crouseville, Castle Hill and Chapman.
The mission of GIFT is to provide food to individuals and families with temporary unmet nutritional needs on a non-discriminatory basis. Currently GIFT is serving more than 400 families, including over 300 children.
It quickly became evident to the group that more food is needed for GIFT to meet the needs of the local communities. Shelves that need to be overflowing were quite bare or held only a small amount of food. Freezers that should also be full had a lot of empty space.
To help support GIFT, Linda Boucher presented the director with a check on behalf of the Grant Memorial United Methodist Women. These funds will be used to purchase additional, urgently-needed food.
Each year, businesses and local individuals purchase animals at the baby beef show and auction to help support the local youth participating in the club’s activities and to build long-term support for the local 4H club.
Occasionally, a buyer wants to support the club but does not necessarily have the means to deal with the meat that is inevitably yielded from the auction purchase. When that happens, the 4H group works with the buyer to connect them with an individual that wants to have the meat. A deal is usually struck for fair market price and the original buyer is paid by the new owner of the meat.
This year, Dave Adams, one of GIFT food pantry’s board members, shared the news of the need at GIFT with the 4H auction coordinator. Adams suggested purchasing an animal and he would find a way for that meat to be provided to GIFT. Following the auction, a buyer did ask for help in marketing his purchase and the call went out. Doug Beaulier of Crop Production Service, Scott and Diane Smith, Brian and Tanya Lapointe, David and Anita Adams, Parker McGlaughlin and Ron and Sue Chaffee each supported the purchase and as a result, approximately 400 pounds of high quality locally-raised meat was donated to GIFT’s freezers.
GIFT has an urgent need for nutritious food, especially for children and the elderly. Fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, meat and a wide variety of other healthy foods are always needed. Volunteers and financial contributions are also appreciated.
To make a donation or for additional information, please contact Fowler at 764-8584.
