On Tuesday mornings, starting well before 9:30 a.m., a collection of 80 to 100 people gather in the Waterman Grace UMC parking lot. They receive a randomly assigned number just before the doors of Grace’s food pantry open at 9:45 a.m. and the volunteers welcome them in. Anyone arriving later receives a sequential number for admittance.
Grace UMC has operated its food pantry for decades. I spoke with Vanessa Bogaty, one of the co-directors of the pantry, (Madonna Durham is also co-director), who has been overseeing the operations since 2010. Here is what I learned.
The pantry has seen an increase in clients since Covid but the demographic hasn’t changed all that much. Approximately 70% of folks are more than 65 years old. Thirty percent are aged 19-56 and have families with kids. Seventy five percent are African American, 20% are Asian and the remaining 5% are a mix of Latino and various nationalities. What they all have in common is the need for food assistance and community, no questions asked. And that is exactly what they receive.
The pantry receives donations in cooperation with Operation Food Search, (https://www.operationfoodsearch.org/) a local hunger relief organization that has operated in St. Louis for over 40 years. They supply fresh produce, meat, prepared foods and occasionally, toiletries. The pantry also accepts and screens donations from our neighborhood, Schnucks on Olive, Panera Bread and Dierbergs on Eagar Road. To ensure a variety of items are available to their clients, Paul Durham supplements the pantry shelves and freezers by purchasing chicken legs and thighs from Restaurant Depot, toilet paper from Kampe supply, soap products from The Dollar Tree and canned fruit, veggies, tuna, dry goods, cereal, hamburger, hotdogs, soap, toilet paper, diapers, Depends, laundry and dish detergent from Aldi’s. It takes dedication, time and careful attention for the pantry to operate.
With the worsening of our economy and increasing inflation, all donations, both financial and food, are vital to the pantry’s function. When I forced Vanessa to come up with a dream list of donation items, she said: “Maybe adult diapers, but for both men and women. Sometimes the men hesitate to use a female product. Or smaller containers of laundry detergent. Even though the larger ones will last longer, a majority of folks walk here and physically can’t carry a heavy box of laundry detergent home with them.” And lastly, “Please check those expiration dates on the items that are donated. Some are fine…canned beans a few months out. But maybe ask yourself, ‘Would I eat that?’ before placing it in a donation bag.”
Volunteers working at the pantry are not all church members. These incredibly dedicated individuals come to Grace via a variety of associations and reasons. If you would like to volunteer, call the church office to see if there is a need. Vanessa would love to have the extra hands but only if she can put you to work!
The pantry offers more than food. It offers community. Many clients have been visiting the pantry for years. They share stories about family and friends, hardships and joys with one another and the volunteers. Irma Ruebling, a member of Grace’s Social Justice Team, is present almost every Tuesday, informing folks about what our legislators are up to and helping the clients to have a voice in their state. Often, they aren’t aware of laws being passed or measures that are on an upcoming ballot. Irma educates and encourages them to call our senators and representatives and to vote. Sometimes, she directs them to resources in our city to help them solve a problem.
Vanessa loves what she does. She says she’s just continuing the ministry she learned from her mother, a woman who was always in a kitchen, at home or at church. Her mom believed everyone deserved to eat. So does Vanessa. Mostly, Vanessa wanted me to say thank you. A deep, sincere thank you for all you give and for caring.
