Dear OLR Family,

It has been over a month since we offered you a complete update about the ongoing work of the Ransom Responds Food Pantry.  First and foremost, thank you for the support that so many of you have offered this effort by your prayers and by your donations of money, food and other supplies.  Many thanks also for the numerous pairs of socks and travel-sized toiletries that you contributed to assist the Our Lady of Lourdes Soup Kitchen in its service to the homeless.  A representative of the soup kitchen picked up these items earlier this week.

The Ransom Responds food pantry continues to support about 35 households every week.  These range in size from persons living alone to extended families of 7 members.  Filling those grocery bags means that, every week, we distribute approximately:

75 packets of instant oatmeal
16 boxes of cereal
41 boxes of pasta and jars of sauce
75 cans of vegetables
52 cans of tuna
55 cans of fruit

48 cans of soup
18 boxes of macaroni and cheese
12 jars of peanut butter
33 bars of soap
66 rolls of toilet paper
 
We also supply some mothers with infant needs, such as formula and diapers, and we provide each household with a monthly $10 ALDI card to help them purchase basics that we do not distribute, such as dairy items and bread.  The total weekly value of all this is approximately $610.00, even with thrifty shopping.

With many people still unemployed, we expect that requests for assistance will continue to increase.  If you are in a position to do so, please consider making a monthly contribution to the food pantry, perhaps by filling a bag with non-perishable groceries as you would if shopping for your own household and dropping them off here.  Donations are gratefully accepted at the Food Pantry on Saturdays between noon and 2 PM, and at the Ministry Center during business hours, 9 AM to 4 PM Monday through Saturday.

At the present time, the food pantry particularly needs canned fruit, canned vegetables (especially corn), and pasta sauce.

Again, thank you for your generosity and for your prayers.