To the editors,
I would like to respond to a recent article in the Jimp, specifically the news that Mission Marshall has expanded their locations to include Woodlawn and is open to Marion County residents. Mission Marshall has also stated that Marion County organizations and businesses will be asked to contribute support to their outreach efforts.
Many Churches in this County quietly supply food and support our community, and Marion County currently has five pantries operating within its boundaries. (Blessings of Grace, Compassion, Dry Dock, Lake O’ the Pines Dream Center and St. Vincent de Paul)
Each of these subsist on grants and donations, and my concern is that funds presently going to these local entities will be diverted.
As it now stands, each pantry allows 1 monthly visit, so it is possible that a person seeking food could find it every week of the month without leaving the county. Seniors can additionally enroll in a monthly box program and free hot lunches are available to them.
Blessings also has produce distributions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings that are open to anyone and always have food available for the taking. I can only speak for Blessings of Grace and St. Vincent de Paul, but our pantries’ focus is not to make people dependent on handouts, but to be there in time of need, providing the basics to keep food on the table.
Some of our clients cannot drive to Marshall or Woodlawn and in fact arrive at our pantries on foot. Many are senior citizens trying to live on a fixed income.
Perhaps I am naive, but I think Marion County has excellent resources for food insecurity.
I would like to mention the Backpack program, also, which provides weekend food to 100 school children every week during the school year.
These children might otherwise go hungry. There are some very faithful donors to this program, and we appreciate them.
I am not trying to discourage donations to Mission Marshall – they have diverse and beneficial programs that we, with our limited resources, are not able to provide.
I only ask that you include the Marion County pantries when you are able to give.
Thank you and God bless you!
Elizabeth Opiela
Chairman, Blessings of Grace
Treasurer, St. Vincent de Paul