Grace Place opens food and clothing pantry

Co-managers Sharon Eller and Laura Ingold say, so far, the pantry has received many donations and a positive response from the public.

The idea grew from the church's Women's Ministry Team and Coupon Club during the holiday season.

After the church participated in the Angel Tree Program, which provides needed items to families during the holidays, the group saw a need for basic items such as toilet paper, body wash and toothpaste.

With couponing becoming more prevalent, members of the Coupon Club found themselves with a surplus of items and decided to donate the items to the pantry.

"The pantry is open to everyone and anyone who has a need," Ingold said.

With the troubled economy, organizers say the pantry has been able to help people who have fallen on hard times.

Currently, the pantry is taking in food and household items, as well as spring and summer clothing.

Organizers follow United States Department of Agriculture guidelines for dispersing food items.

Any resident seeking food items will be given a weeks worth of food depending on the size of the individuals family in accordance with the guidelines.

"There is no strings attached, no judgment. People can come get what they need," Ingold said, adding there is no limit to the amount of clothes people can take. "It's completely free. If you need something, we'll have it."

Residents are also welcome to submit requests. Eller said when requests for household or clothing items are made the pantry's volunteers work to see the need is met.

The Grace Place Church also has a Facebook page that shares with its members any requests that are made or items that are need to supply the pantry.

"People have been very generous with their donations," Eller said.

The pantry is open on Tuesdays, from 9 to 11 a.m., 12 to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.; Thursdays, from 9 to 11 a.m. and 12 to 2 p.m.; and Saturdays, from 9 to 11 a.m.

The church office is also open to receive donations from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call the church office at 347-5214.

"We're excited about it," Eller said. "I feel that this is what we're suppose to do. That's what Jesus would want us to do, to meet the needs of our fellow man."