Nearly 50 years ago, a group of community members worked together to establish the Wayne Food Pantry. Volunteers started the Food Pantry and they continue to be integral to its operation.
The Food Pantry has been located in the basement of the First Presbyterian since the beginning. The church has space available to store the donations for both the Food Pantry and the Wayne Backpack program, which provides food for the weekend for students at Wayne Community Schools, St. Mary's Elementary School and ESU Tower School.
Dan Sukup, who served as treasurer of the group for many years, recently retired. Through the years, Dan worked with a number of individuals at the Food Pantry, with local businesses to obtain donations and representatives of various churches that also help support it. The Food Pantry staff are very grateful for his years of service to the community and commend Dan for a job well done.
The treasurer's position will now be filled by volunteer Rita McLean.
In addition to her position as treasurer for the Food Pantry, McLean has been a volunteer for the program since 2018 and assists with preparing the items that go into the backpacks that are handed out each week. She is also responsible for collecting the items that have been donated at the local grocery stores.
Deb Daehnke, another volunteer with the Food Pantry, has been assisting with the program since 2013. She orders, stocks and maintains inventory, and packs items into the boxes that are handed out to families requesting assistance.
The newest volunteer, Carol Dunning, greets Food Pantry clients and assists with paperwork.
“The Food Pantry operation runs much smoother with the help of our volunteers” said Jenny Hammer, church office administrator and Wayne Food Pantry coordinator.
Donations to the Food Pantry, either non-perishable food items or cash donations are accepted throughout the year.
Among the most needed items at the present time are canned fruit and any type of canned protein.
Those using the Wayne Food Pantry may do so up to three times per year. Identification and proof of residency in Wayne County is required. In addition to boxes of non-perishable food, vouchers are distributed that may be used for perishable items.
Anyone facing food insecurity may also use the Wayne Food Truck (which is supported by WACAM) that distributes pre-boxed food the last Saturday of each month in the Journey Christian Church Parking Lot.
Foodbank for the Heartland also hosts a free mobile food pantry at the Wakefield School Circle Drive, 802 Highland Street in Wakefield several times each year. The next of these will be Thursday, Sept. 25 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. while supplies last.
For more information on the Wayne Food Pantry at the First Presbyterian Church or to make an appointment to receive food, contact the church office at (402) 375-2669 Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.
