The Texas County Food Pantry is dedicated to serving people in our community who find themselves in need of a helping hand.
Here are some numbers showing how we helped people in need for September 2019.
•Food assistance: 485 households.
•One-time assistance: 85 individuals.
•Total individuals: 858.
The local Salvation Army assisted nine households and 29 individuals. Sept. 15 was the final day to receive Salvation Army assistance for 2019. Assistance costs for the month of September was $1,892.67 and financial donations totaled $815.37.
For those keeping track, you will notice a significant drop in outgoing assistance. This is due to the conclusion of the Salvation Army financial year. The Salvation Army assistance year is from Jan. 1 to Sept. 15. Sept. 16 to Dec. 31 allows time for Salvation Army to “balance the books” and prepare for Red Kettle season. Will TCFP still be giving financial assistance? Yes, but we will be limited and frugal.
Speaking of Red Kettle, we will be starting sign-ups to ring the bell beginning in November. This year Salvation Army has created its own website for each bell ringing site sign-ups. This means you can sign up to ring the bell online or you can call TCFP and we will sign you up. We will share the link to online sign-ups on our Facebook or you can call 417-967-4484.
Bell-ringing already? The cold season is almost upon us! What do you do when it is cold out? The staff at TCFP snuggle up with a book! TCFP wants to encourage you to do the same. From October to the end of March every Thursday, all books – no matter the flavor – are 25 cents apiece. Prepare for your cold weekend at home by picking up a book.
The TCFP employee/volunteer of the month is Cheryl Steele of Houston. Cheryl is a staple in the food department. She volunteers several days a week and always gives an extra hand if we need it. On any given day you can witness her hustling and busting around the food pantry. From stocking shelves to checking food clients in she does it all!
From the TCFP family “Thank you Cheryl!”
Katie Mutzebaugh is executive director at the Texas County Food Pantry in Houston, Mo. To contact her, call 417-967-4844 or email tcfpdirector@centurytel.net. The Pantry is at 102A East Highway 17 in Houston.