The press release was submitted by President Leveda Ashlin.
During 2023, Morrison Charitable Food Pantry, NFP, finalized the 30-year-long dream of owning a building. We signed the contract to purchase the former Hilltop Lanes bowling alley on June 26. While we may have had a few erratic heart beats upon signing, we knew we had made the right decision. It was as if the hand of fate had led us to that moment in time.
We had a lot of renovating to do prior to being able to open our doors. Our amazing volunteers worked tirelessly to get us to the point of having our first distribution day at the new site, on August 31. Due to all the hard work everyone put in, our opening day went smoothly, as if we had been there for years.
We had so many community organizations help us during this past year! We would especially like to recognize our Morrison students who have inspired us with their actions. When we were at the point we could move in, the Morrison Football Team joined us and loaded up a horse trailer, pickups, SUVs, trailers, etc. and had everything moved into the new location within two hours. Cottonwood 4-H Club donated 96 lbs. of personal care items. Morrison High School Student Council, pictured below, also organized a personal care drive, delivering 191 lbs of items. Southside Elementary School Kindness Club donated 243 lbs of food.
Tom Neumiller of Neumiller Farms donated over 600 lbs in canned goods, onions, and potatoes. Editor’s note: Neumiller Farms grows potatoes for a Seneca Falls, NY, company, which once a year allows its providers to buy pallets of food at a reduced price and donate it. American Legion member Jerry Brearton, pictured, who works for Neumiller, suggested giving some canned goods to the local food pantry. Neumiller told him to take potatoes and onions, too.
Kunes Country Morrison dealership donated three skids, (well over 3000 lbs) of pre-boxed food items, which their employees had packed. This was the second year they have contributed in this manner. Homestead Assisted Living & Memory Care collected 37 lbs of personal care items and 216 lbs of food, during their Thanksgiving Dinner. The Whiteside County Cattleman’s Association donated ground beef and have for many years. Sullivan’s Foods donates food every week to the Pantry. Please tell them “Thanks” for supporting us. Both the Episcopal Church of St. Anne and the Lions Club donate personal care items to us each month. Advantage one Credit Union is also a big supporter of ours.
I know I may have not listed all donators, but please know that we are grateful for you and all the support you give us. Our local Churches have always been a source of support for the Pantry, and this past year was no exception.
Many individuals and organizations donated banquet tables, chairs, shelving, totes, personal care items, and food for our clients, as well as monetary gifts. Elizabet and Marvin donate farm-fresh eggs, which are a big hit with our clients. We couldn’t have done this outreach without you. Thank you, each and every one, for being there for us and our Food Pantry families.
To all the anonymous donors out there, we were blessed to receive all the items you brought to us, whether monetary, personal care items, food, equipment, or services. All were needed and much appreciated.
In October, one of our long-time volunteers passed, our friend Ron Finnicum. He was one of our biggest supporters and cheerleaders. Ron always had an encouraging word and a smile for all. We miss him greatly.
Kudos to Nathan Jacobs of Morrison Parks and Recreation Department, for his tireless work in putting together the 5K Turkey Trot Fun Run and Walk for us, and to all the volunteers who came out to assist. We collected a large quantity of food and paper products for the Pantry with $3600 in cash donations. It was a fun event. Seeing so many young families with their children and doing the walk was a sight to behold, as was the mascot, Gobbles! We are looking forward to the 2024 Thanksgiving weekend.
During 2023 we had 117 more visits to the Pantry and 378 more people served than we did in 2022. This year showed we had a total of 575 visits (serving a total of 1647 people.) We do not anticipate that those numbers will go down.
In closing, I would like to thank the dedicated volunteers of the Pantry, without whom we would not have the successful organization we currently enjoy. They share their talents, expertise, and laughter, always ready and willing to step in to help where needed to keep us operating. So, when you see one of them, please thank them for their involvement: Kathie VanderVinne, Carole Patton, Cal Vandermyde, Deb Wikoff, Paul VanderVinne, Rick Deter, Randy Kuehl, Rick Smith, Pat Popkin, Richard Swanson, Rick Barr, Sheila Sonberg, Darlene Smith, and Len Ashlin. Thanks to you all. You are the best!