OPEN HOUSE AT
CEDAR KEY FOOD PANTRY
February 9, 2021
CEDAR KEY FOOD PANTRY
February 9, 2021
The Monday, February 8, the Cedar Key Food Pantry welcomed the community to its Open House from 2 to 4 pm. This event celebrates the Pantry’s first full year at its new and generously provided location.
The Pantry introduced 47 visitors to its operations and the wealth of information that it provides. Volunteers were plenty and information laden. Each visitor enjoyed a personal tour of five Pantry areas that follow. Greeting each visitor was Director Sue Colson who welcomed and explained the visit procedure.
The Pantry inhabits three units in a six-unit building on the west side of State Road 24 in Cedar Key between the Number Three and the Number Four Bridges. The colorful custom-designed wooden sign in front, constructed by Joe Hand, welcomes all. The palm-topped fork and spoon Cedar Key Food Pantry logo was created by Emily Colson. The immaculately groomed lawn and parking area create an easily navigable access and egress route. The building space is most generously provided by a donor.
COVID CAREFUL
Covid-19 protections were the order of the day: all visitors and volunteers were masked; no more than two visitors and one volunteer were in a single room, thus physically distanced.
Covid-19 protections were the order of the day: all visitors and volunteers were masked; no more than two visitors and one volunteer were in a single room, thus physically distanced.
CHECK-IN ROOM
In the check-in room, visitors received a thank-you note from the Pantry director and its volunteers. On several visitors’ notes were red check marks which entitled them to prize after the tour. In this room, volunteer Heather Lang explained the reasons clients may qualify to receive Pantry services.
In the check-in room, visitors received a thank-you note from the Pantry director and its volunteers. On several visitors’ notes were red check marks which entitled them to prize after the tour. In this room, volunteer Heather Lang explained the reasons clients may qualify to receive Pantry services.
The Check-In Room is where clients come weekly first and declare their eligibility. The room also regularly functions as an educational center which hosts guests speaking to health and nutrition and other matters.
Aside from the Check-In Room is an area occupied by resident Ginny Barss who helps clients navigate the Internet for Social Security, Unemployment, Medicare, Medicaid, Income Tax, and other information. Barss is available from 1 to 4:30 pm each Wednesday; clients may drop in or call before for an appointment.
INFORMATION TABLE
As visitors exited the Check-In Room, they encountered volunteer Cindy Turner manning an information-laden table containing Cedar Key News featured “Food for Thought” articles, which chronicle the ongoing history of the Pantry, and the Amy Gernhardt-compiled Cedar Key Cookbook, the proceeds of which are donated to the Pantry.
As visitors exited the Check-In Room, they encountered volunteer Cindy Turner manning an information-laden table containing Cedar Key News featured “Food for Thought” articles, which chronicle the ongoing history of the Pantry, and the Amy Gernhardt-compiled Cedar Key Cookbook, the proceeds of which are donated to the Pantry.
Educational materials regularly disseminated to clients were displayed on the table, as well. They included healthy eating brochures, home-based mosquito control measures, hurricane planning aids, and much, much more.
FREEZER / REFRIGERATOR ROOM
Visitors were greeted by volunteer Eileen Senecal who graphically explained what a donation of $10 could buy and thus provide for Pantry clients. A 16- inch high by 20-inch wide by 24-inch-long basket brimming full of meats, cheeses, canned goods, and dry goods showed the donation at its fullest.
Visitors were greeted by volunteer Eileen Senecal who graphically explained what a donation of $10 could buy and thus provide for Pantry clients. A 16- inch high by 20-inch wide by 24-inch-long basket brimming full of meats, cheeses, canned goods, and dry goods showed the donation at its fullest.
The Pantry is able to do this because of its basic suppliers. Dry goods and canned goods are purchased at $.19 a pound from Gainesville’s Bread of the Mighty, a large food bank and a distribution partner of Feeding Florida Feeding America. The United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, also provides food to the Pantry free of charge.
The Freezer Room, which contains seven large freezers, is the second room clients enter weekly. There they receive meats: chicken, beef, breakfast meats, fish, pork, and so on. Aside the Freezer Room is the Refrigerator Room which houses six refrigerators stocked with eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, and more.
DRY GOODS ROOM
Open House visitors next entered the Dry Goods Room where volunteers demonstrated, with the aid of a basket and a wheeled cart, how clients arrive, shop for staples, load baskets with their choices, and tote them to their vehicles.
Open House visitors next entered the Dry Goods Room where volunteers demonstrated, with the aid of a basket and a wheeled cart, how clients arrive, shop for staples, load baskets with their choices, and tote them to their vehicles.
LIGHT REFRESHMENTS TABLE
Visitors were treated to lemonade or water and a Covid-19 safe carefully and individually wrapped cake. Many volunteers thanked them for coming, as did Sue Colson. Upon presentation of their red check marked thank-you note, some visitors walked away with prizes: one walked away with Ghirardelli Carmel Chocolate Squares; others walked away munching Hersey’s Kisses.
Visitors were treated to lemonade or water and a Covid-19 safe carefully and individually wrapped cake. Many volunteers thanked them for coming, as did Sue Colson. Upon presentation of their red check marked thank-you note, some visitors walked away with prizes: one walked away with Ghirardelli Carmel Chocolate Squares; others walked away munching Hersey’s Kisses.
FOOD PANTRY OPEN HOUSE CAST OF CHARACTERS
Sue Colson, Director
Cindy Turner, Assistant Director
Heather Lang, Alex Bletcher, Intake
Gini Barss, Social, Financial Internet Navigation
Nancy Martin, Greg Martin, Russ Colson Clean Up
Jean Foisster, Kaathy Salkaln, Volunteers, Refreshments
Judy Treharne, Kathy O’Neill, Dry Goods Area
Eileen Senecal, Refrigerator, Freezer Area
Luke, Muscle
Cindy Turner, Assistant Director
Heather Lang, Alex Bletcher, Intake
Gini Barss, Social, Financial Internet Navigation
Nancy Martin, Greg Martin, Russ Colson Clean Up
Jean Foisster, Kaathy Salkaln, Volunteers, Refreshments
Judy Treharne, Kathy O’Neill, Dry Goods Area
Eileen Senecal, Refrigerator, Freezer Area
Luke, Muscle
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