Coventry Food Pantry seeks donations

"These (two jars) are literally all the spaghetti sauce we have, (and) we go through 70 cans or jars every month," said Coventry Food Pantry volunteer Brian Wade, emphasizing the pantry's need for nonperishable food donations.

Coventry Food Pantry, located 692 W. Schuylkill Road (Route 724), Unit 1, Pottstown, supplies food and household goods to families and individuals in need who reside in the Owen J. Roberts (OJR) School District. In addition to canned goods, the pantry is seeking items like soap, toothpaste and laundry detergent, as well as cleaning supplies and paper products.

"Nonperishable items, personal care items and paper products are the (items) we constantly need," said pantry director Ginny Wade.

Suggested food donations include canned fruit and vegetables, tuna, peanut butter, pasta and sauce, rice, cereal and oatmeal. "We are serving 70 to 100 families in this district per month, which is about 300 people," noted Ginny. "(We ask people to) just pick up two or three things a week extra for us when grocery (shopping). We always take monetary donations, and I will go the bargain stories to get (extra items)."

The pantry holds its monthly food distribution on the first Tuesday of the month from 9 to 10 a.m. and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Those who register as clients and meet certain income requirements receive food items such as peanut butter, boxed macaroni and cheese, canned soup and instant mashed potatoes, along with fresh eggs and milk and cleaning and paper products. Fresh produce is provided by the Chester County Food Bank.

In addition to its regular distribution, the pantry offers a weekend backpack program. "Children in need in the (OJR) School District are given a backpack of food each week with food for the weekend," Ginny explained. "We can always use (snacks) for that (program)."

Suggested donations for the backpack program include juice boxes, small fruit cups, individual puddings, raisins or dried fruit, yogurt granola bars, fruit-filled cereal bars, granola bars, fruit snacks and small bags of pretzels or Goldfish crackers.

The pantry also holds special back-to-school and holiday distributions, including Christmas, when youngsters are provided with an assortment of gifts. "We just (gave out) school supplies. Now, we are gearing up for Christmas," Ginny noted.

Those with donations can place items in a bin located in the front of the building. "We check the box a few times a day, so people can always drop off stuff there," Ginny said, noting that the box is waterproof.

Those with large quantities of items to donate may contact the pantry at 610-326-5659 or coventryfoodpantry@gmail.com to arrange a drop-off time.

For more information, including donation and volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.coventryfoodpantry.com or http://www.facebook.com/coventryfoodpantry.