- Operates 9AM - 12Noon, 1 - 3PM Monday through Thursday, 9 - 11:30 AM
Friday
- Sponsored by Interfaith Mission Service since 1994, when requests for
food assistance began to overwhelm HELPLine system
- IMS FOODLine/Food Pantry System is operated entirely by volunteers -
20+ answering the telephone in shifts; many more in 30+ pantries in churches
around Madison County
- Telephone volunteers use HELPLine data base to screen callers for overuse
of the system.
- Two pantries specialize in infants' needs, one in needs
of people with diabetes and on dialysis
- Take orders for holiday baskets provided by various churches
- Provided a few days' emergency food assistance to 11,100+ adults and
children in 2001
Typical food package for a family of four:
1 box of cereal, 1 box of pancake mix, 1 bottle of syrup, 2-3 boxes of macaroni
and cheese dinner, 2-3 cans of tuna or other meat/fish, 1 bag of dried beans,
1 bag of rice, 1 package of spaghetti, 1 jar/can of spaghetti sauce, 1 box
of crackers, 4-6 cans of vegetables, 2-3 cans of fruit or dried fruit, 1
can/bottle of fruit juice, 2 cans of soup, 1 jar of peanut butter, 1 jar
of jelly, 2 cans of evaporated milk, other items depending on pantry stock
Typical reasons that Madison County residents call for food assistance:
- recently laid off from work
- illness, recent surgery or medical condition prevents working
- outdoor workers (e.g., lawn care, roofers) unable to work because of
rain
- children out of school for summer, holiday
- Social Security/other benefits are delayed in mail
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