The Malta Food Bank is in Need

A resource for many in our community is in need and reaching out to friends for assistance. With orders placed with the state not being filled, the Malta Food Bank is looking to its friends for help. You and I are those friends! On September 22nd, the community is being asked to donate cereal for distribution to the food bank clientele. All three banks in town will be accepting donations.

June Cornell, manager of the Food Bank, stated that they are in need of regular-size boxes of cereal, preferably with no sugar or low sugar content. Many of the elderly are diabetic, and their health is a large factor to consider when purchasing for the Food Bank. Also, check expiration dates; purchase the regular-size boxes, homes of the elderly are older and space is limited. Large boxes tend to go bad or expire before they are able to be consumed.

The Food Bank is open from 9 am-12 noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Staff at the office include Cornell and volunteers, Myrna Williamson, Rosie Bednarczyk and Carol Schumacher. Bob Johnson is President of the Board, which oversees the Food Bank, and board members are Tom Bedwell, Lynne Brewer, Polly Solberg, and Carol Schumacher.

Annually, the church groups go door to door on the Wednesday before Halloween, collecting non-perishable canned goods for the cause. Last year the effort and donations brought in about 2,000 pounds of goods. During the late night shopping during the holidays, a collection of goods benefits the Food Bank. Recently, the public was asked to bring canned goods to a paper shredding day, which the Food Bank was deeply appreciative of.

Throughout the year, meat and fresh vegetables are donated to assist the efforts as well.

Cornell stated that a program, TEFAP (Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program, is one source of ordering commodities. They are able to place orders every two months. They place orders through the State every six weeks.

She expressed the Food Bank is fortunate to have the caring and generous support of the community. Often the bank receives donations when someone passes away, when memorials are sent in memory of a friend or family member in lieu of flowers or other gestures. Consider the Food Bank when making out your will.