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Sustaining Those in Need
Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2016/09 - September | Photograph By: Marjorie Christiansen Photography
With the upcoming Empty Bowls fundraiser in October, it’s a great time to learn more about the Food Pantry of Highlands and what they do.
Executive Director Marty Rosenfield took the reins at the end of last year. 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. He has also spearheaded the host farmer program and was instrumental in last month’s Poverty Simulation.
The pantry is currently located in a small space on South Third Street, generously provided by the Highlands United Methodist Church. It purchases food for its clients from MANNA Food Bank as well as local vendors and spends an average of $400 per week. The Food Pantry is facing relocation to a new larger space in the next 12 to 24 months as the church builds a new Fellowship Hall. Marty says, “When we move into our new space I hope we will have larger freezer and refrigeration capacity. 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.”
Who are the pantry’s clients? They are your friends and neighbors. They are people who live and work in Highlands but suffer from food insecurity due to any number of reasons. It’s sometimes shocking to learn that many people right here do not earn a living wage and need assistance for themselves and their families.
Every Monday from 3:30 P.M. until 5:30 P.M. volunteers at the Food Pantry of Highlands distribute fresh produce, meats, canned foods, and personal care items and they need our help. A few hours a month is all that it takes to make someone’s life less painful.
They encourage you to participate in the Empty Bowls fundraiser. With the upcoming move and advent of colder weather, the Food Pantry of Highlands is in need of monetary contributions to help them serve their clients.
For more information on how you can directly help those in our area please contact Marty Rosenfield at (828) 526-9828 or Andrea Smith at the International Friendship Center, (828) 526-0890.
