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Turning Tables on Hunger
Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2016/05 - May | Photograph By: Marjorie Christiansen Photography
Highlands Food Pantry has a new director.
As of December 2015, Marty Rosenfield took over as director, but he’s certainly not new to the pantry. Marty’s been volunteering as a truck unloader for over two years prior to his new role.
“I have some tough shoes to fill as the previous directors had done great at the tasks at hand,” he says.
Rosenfield, former owner of Lakeside Restaurant, sees his years in the restaurant business as being extremely helpful in this new responsibility. It taught him to shop wisely and seek out good vendors. Since taking over, he has tried to add to the weekly offerings at the pantry by providing a greater selection of fresh produce when available. They currently spend approximately $400 per week to supplement the grocery needs of their 60 to 70 weekly clients. Manna Food Bank is their biggest expense, then produce, then additional groceries. Now, the Food Pantry is facing relocation to a new larger space in the next 12 to 24 months as the Highlands United Methodist Church building in which they’re currently housed builds a new Fellowship Hall.
“When we move into our new space I hope we will have larger freezer and refrigeration capacity,” Rosenfield says. “I am hopeful that we can align ourselves with more area farmers not only for fruits and vegetables but also for beef, pork, and chicken.”
As a member of the Highlands community for the last 26 years, the new director says he knows how willing its residents are to support good causes such as this. The pantry is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit and all donations are totally tax-deductible.
Money is not all that’s needed, however. If you’re interested in joining their network of volunteers, feel free to call Rosenfield at (828) 421-1789 or Andrea Smith at the International Friendship Center office in the Peggy Crosby Center at (828) 526-0890. The Food Pantry is open every Monday at 3:15 P.M. and closes at 5:30 P.M. It’s currently located on Third Street, behind Highlands United Methodist Church.
