The Town of Rainelle is holding a food drive for the First Baptist Church Food Pantry.
“More and more people are seeking food so the Pantry is dangerously near being bare,” Mayor Andrea ‘Andy’ Pendleton said. “The Town asked for donations in the red grocery cart to help replenish the pantry.”
The pantry usually serves an average of 150 families each month. However in November, 62 new sign-ups arrived bringing the total to 210 families served. At three people per family, that brings it to 645 individuals, indicating a huge increase in need for this area. About $1,200 is spent each month for nonperishable food and meat. The average monthly Food Pantry donations amount to around $400.
Regular food pantry distributions are made on the fourth Saturday of the month, from 9:30 – 11:30 in the morning, according to Frank Groves. Groves, director of First Baptist Church in Rainelle’s food pantry, said they chose the fourth Saturday because in “normal” times, they mostly see families whose food stamps ran out.
“We try to give about a week’s amount of food to get them through the end of the month,” Groves said.
The food pantry tries to give “pretty solid meals” that are easy to serve, such as spaghetti and sauce, canned fruits and canned vegetables with some frozen meat and baked goods.
The food pantry also serves hardship cases at any time. Persons needing food may come by the church or telephone 304-438-6311. “If you get the answering machine, please leave your name and how we can contact you,” Groves said.
“We are tapped out right now,” Pastor Bob reported. He said that the need for food is greater than ever and asked for help in restocking the food pantry.
Cash is always welcome as it allows the food pantry to shop for food on sale. Donations of nonperishable food are also welcomed. Preferred items are canned fruits and vegetables, Mac-N-Cheese or spaghetti and sauce.
Donations of food and money are urgently needed. You can make checks payable to First Baptist Church with Food Pantry on the memo line and send to: First Baptist Church, 309 Seventh Street, Rainelle, WV 25962; phone 304-438-6311 or you can drop off non-perishable food at the church or in the red grocery cart at Town Hall.
For further information, contact First Baptist Church at 304-438-6311 or Mayor Andy Pendleton at 304-438-7191 or via email at andypen241@icloud.com.