The Caring & Sharing Food Pantry receives great community support to help them stock their shelves, serve Paulding County residents dealing with food insecurity and get closer to building their new building. “I just want to say thank you to people in all corners of Paulding County,” said Laurie Barnes, pantry board president. “We could not do what we do without financial donations, food drives and dedicated volunteers.”
The U.S. Post Office Stamp Out Hunger occurred on May 13, sponsored by the Paulding post office. Village residents gave some 500 pounds of food, and the Paulding Panther high school football team helped the PO team collect the donations and helped unload it at the pantry.
In early June, the pantry received 400 pounds of meat from Cooper Farms.
On June 9, a sold-out Royal Excursions charter bus journeyed to Holmes County Ohio to visit Amish country and raise money for the pantry building fund. Led by independent tour escort Sue Beck of Paulding, the trip raised nearly $1,300.
Every Friday, the pantry receives a food donation from Van Wert Walmart as part of their participation in Feeding America. It’s this delivery that helps stock the pantry market with produce, meat, baked goods and shelf-stable food. It takes several volunteers to make this happen, including students from Vantage Career Center during the school year.
Other fundraising events are coming soon to raise money for the pantry building fund.
On July 22, 2023, the 3rd Annual Scott St. John “Marmaduke” Cruise In is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Music will be provided by My 102.7 and Fat Pig Smokehouse will be there. The pantry board will offer homemade ice cream and bottled water for free-will offering. The event’s proceeds will go to the pantry building fund.
The pantry is participating again this year in the 127 Yard Sale on Aug. 2-5. Their booth will be set up inside at the First Presbyterian Church of Paulding at 114 West Caroline.
Over the past 14 months, financial donations to the building fund have totaled more than $515,000 toward the fundraising goal of $560,000. Gifts from businesses, families, memorials, churches and community organizations have added up quickly. The new food pantry will be located at 318 N. Walnut Street in Paulding.
Building Fund donations can be sent in care of the Paulding County Area Foundation at 101 E. Perry Street, Paulding, Ohio 45879.
For more information about the pantry, volunteering opportunities and fundraising activities, follow the Caring & Sharing Food Pantry on Facebook. You also can contact the pantry, at (419) 399-9562 or info@caring-and-sharing.org.
