Original printed byline: Grady Vaughan; June Vaughan
Historical April–May 2018 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
About 2011 John Lents and his partner Laurence Marsco moved to the 6100 block of Westminster Place.
It was not long before John sent an e-mail message to the 6000 and 6100 blocks inviting residents to place food donations on his porch the first Friday of each month.
He took these gifts to Operation Food Search, which was then headquartered nearby on Olive Street. John’s former work as principal of an elementary school made him aware of the hunger all around us.
He never forgot the effect of chronic hunger upon his students.
A few years later when John and Laurence moved away, we felt that John had begun a wonderful project, which should continue.
The little striped bin traveled from John’s front porch to ours, where it continues to welcome food donations on First Friday each month, from Friday morning until Sunday evening.
We do not accept donations each autumn in the month when the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council announces a food drive.
When Operation Food Search moved their headquarters some distance away, we began taking the donations to the food pantries at New Cote Brilliante Church of God and Grace Methodist Church on alternate months.
Some contributors have expressed their appreciation for keeping the donations here to serve our own neighborhood. At New Cote Brilliante Church of God records are kept of food pantry clients, who present identification before being served.
The staffs of the both food pantries have joyfully welcomed the contributions made by our generous neighborhood.
All forms of staple and canned foods are needed. Glass containers are hazardous to volunteers and clients, so plastics are preferred. Personal care items are appreciated.
We offer a good home for all those stray, unused toiletry items collected in hotel rooms. Many elderly clients have dental problems, so this is good to keep in mind when considering the texture of food. Brandon Sterling, Executive Director of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council, enthusiastically supports this project.
He expresses the hope that other areas in the larger neighborhood might develop similar systems for supporting local food pantries. Meanwhile, we welcome all. Our philosophy is that the practice of donating food to others on a regular basis cultivates in us a constant awareness that we can reach out to people in our community who need a helping hand.
It is so easy to forget.
Original photograph caption
Grady Vaughn of Westminster Block Club with Vanessa Bogaty and Madonna Durham, co-managers of Grace Methodist Food Pantry.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2018.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2018_04.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
