CLARKSBORO — As 2024 ends, St. Peter’s Community Pantry extends its deepest appreciation to the community for their ongoing support throughout the past year.
What started in May of 2023 as a small start-up program, manned by a few volunteers struggling to fill the shelves, has grown into a fully operational entity with a Board of Directors, a leadership committee, a roster of volunteers, and a pantry whose shelves are continually filled and depleted each month as more and more people are served.
In November during our pre-Thanksgiving distribution, we distributed food to 155 families, roughly 600 individuals, providing 9,300 pounds of food. This was our largest distribution to date.
A new 16 by 20 foot walk-in outdoor freezer will be constructed on the grounds of the pantry. This was made possible through the generosity of The Episcopal Community Services of the Episcopal Diocese of NJ as well as The Rural Development Corporation. This freezer will enable us to increase the quantity of perishable items that we can accept through our “retail rescue” partnerships.
The success of St. Peter’s Community Pantry rests heavily on the shoulders of many people and companies who gave unselfishly to support the program. Included in this list is The Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of NJ, The Rural Development Corporation, Zallie’s Shop Rite of Woolwich, Ammons Shop Rite of Mullica Hill, Wawa of Logan Twp., Heritage’s Dairy Stores of Clarksboro, South Jersey Refinery, Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troops of East Greenwich, Kingsway High School’s National Honor Society, Jeffrey Clark School PTO, Burn Boot Camp of Clarksboro, The Little Red School House, The GKC Corporation and more individuals than we can name. The response to supporting those experiencing food insecurity within our Gloucester County community has been remarkable.
The pantry will be tweaking its collection and distribution days beginning in January 2025. Collecting food to fill our pantry shelves will take place on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Distribution to those in need will take place on the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 pm.
If you, or someone you know, needs help putting food on their tables, please send them to the pantry. Please remember that St. Peter’s Pantry is for those who are truly unable to supply food to their families.
It is not “free food” for those with the capability of providing for their families or themselves. We have limited resources, and want to continue to serve food insecure families with high quality foods for as long as possible.
Wishing you all a blessed holiday season and a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.
