The Honey Brook Food Pantry continues to serve people in need through its food distributions, programs and services, while being supported by the community through its many donations.

In a year-end report, Ken Ross, pantry director, noted that while the need for food and services increased in 2024, so did the number and quality of donations. "The need was unprecedented and so was the generosity. The generosity met the need," Ross stated. "The demand was off the charts - the amount of people (we served) and the amount of stuff we gave out - but the donations were terrific."

This year, the pantry gave out complete holiday meals for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. "We (previously) did one combined event between Thanksgiving and Christmas because we could not handle (distributing) that many turkeys in three weeks," Ross noted. "So we gave out hams for Thanksgiving and turkey for Christmas. This is the first time we have done both."

In addition, winter coats and accessories like hats and gloves were offered during each of the November and December distributions. In December, clients received toys for the children along with the holiday turkey dinner. "We gave away 600 coats (plus) 1,800 toys," Ross said.

According to the report, the pantry supports more than 350 families each month, totaling nearly 1,200 individuals, including about 400 children and 200 senior citizens. "We have registered 145 new families (in 2024)," Ross noted.

Other pantry initiatives include its Backpack Program, which provides weekend food to between 100 and 130 children. This past summer, nearly 200 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed. The pantry also offers formula and other essential items as part of its Infant Through Age 4 Program, as well as free clothing provided by the Anchored Ministries Clothing Closet.

The pantry's distributions are typically held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To be eligible to receive food distributions and other benefits, clients must be residents of the Twin Valley School District and meet income requirements.

In addition to nonperishable food, clients receive fresh meat, dairy and produce products, as well as personal hygiene items. On-site resources, designed to help pantry clients achieve independence, include employment assistance, legal aid, medical and dental services and utility support. New offerings include transportation information, flu shots, vision testing, haircuts and assistance with Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as well as the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC).

Ross said that distributions go on despite winter cold or inclement weather conditions. "Volunteers who supply information to the clients are inside, but the actual distributions are outside," he said, noting that tents and portable propane heaters provide some relief from the elements. "We had some nasty rainy days in October and November, but we have a tough crew."

Those who would like to help out the pantry may consider holding a food drive or making a financial donation. "Food collections are always helpful. We have a list of what is preferable," Ross said. "But there are things we can only get with cash - dairy, produce, meat, specialty food for kids and infants and (those with diabetes). Food drives are great, especially if they follow our list, but what is better is financial donations because we use it for those things."

The end-of-year report concludes with some of the pantry's success stories. "Despite emergencies and difficult living conditions, we've seen notable successes," Ross stated. "The two largest families we've seen for years, (with) eight and nine members, have achieved financial stability and no longer want or require our assistance. A long-term participant earned a bachelor's degree through VA benefits. Two single mothers who registered last Christmas are now employed and receiving college tuition support from their employers, with one making the dean's list."

For more information about the pantry, located at 5064 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, visit http://www.facebook.com/honeybrookfoodpantry or http://www.honeybrookfoodpantry.org. The Facebook page also offers a video review of 2024 in a post dated Jan. 1. Those with questions may leave a message at 610-273-6102.