CEDAR KEY FOOD PANTRY AT CHRISTMAS 2024...OH, MY!
2024 December 24
What an extraordinary day was Christmas Eve at the Cedar Key Food Pantry!
Well over one hundred families waited patiently in line, talking, smiling, and laughing. Some brought little ones, others toted toddlers, and teens were in tow. The able youngsters helped others by toting their goods to their vehicles. “We love doing this,” remarked Lindsey and Caleb.
Asked what they thought about the Pantry, one family leader said, “What a wonderful place, especially at this time of the year when funds are low, and needs seem bigger.” Another remarked, “Soooo very generous!”
Orchestrating the vehicular traffic inside and outside the Pantry was Cedar Key Police Department Officer Mike Simpson. Gracious, smiling, yet firm, he kept traffic moving, calmly, safely, and orderly, allowing each family time and space to load cars easily.
FIRST STOP
Upon entry, families checked in in the Pantry’s first room. Greeted by Cedar Key Pantry Director Sue Colson or her assistants, regular Pantry goers were offered an envelope containing a Pantry Happy Holiday card and a gift certificate to several regional stores, such as Walmart. Gift cards ranged in amounts from $25 to $50. The gift cards are generated by the last of the disaster funds and by donations.
SECOND STOP
Secondly, families moved on to the refrigerated foods room, but not before receiving a huge, brightly colored plastic shopping bag filled with a weighty ham, dressing, carrots, whole milk, and potatoes.
In the refrigerator food room, families choose chicken, beef, sausage, and other meats.
Before they moved on to the dry goods room, families received a bag of cake mix, frosting, corn bread, and black-eyed peas.
Additionally, fresh apples and blueberries were offered.
THIRD STOP
In the dry goods room, choices continue to abound. Canned vegetables included tomatoes, spinach, and corn.
Canned fruits included pears, peaches, and apple sauce. Breads of all sorts were in abundance: whole wheat, white, rolls, gluten free, and more.
VOLUNTEERS
Always, volunteers are the Pantry’s backbone. On days, such as today, the “regular volunteer staff” might be out of town, attending to other obligations, etc., and the Pantry’s next tier of volunteers jumps in to help. What could be confusing and inefficient was certainly not. Each less experienced volunteer got a short instruction session from Ms. Colson or another and went to work.
Anyone driving by or walking by the pantry after 5 pm on Wednesdays would never know that over one hundred families and hundreds and thousands of pounds of food have moved through the acreage. Nothing is left outside of the building except neatly folded for pick up carboard boxes and garbage cans ready for Waste Pro. Nothing is out of place.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLES
Last week’s Food Pantry visitors participated in a raffle. This week, the raffle winners picked up their treasures. Hanging lamps, a shop vacuum, bar stool, and a fan were collected.
COLSON REFLECTIONS
When questioned, Director Sue Colson said, “I believe that obstacles do occur, but behind every obstacle is a door that will open if you just turn the knob. I’ve seen it again and again. That is so much of the reason I believe so very much in resiliency.” Regarding the Pantry’s success, Colson says, “We must be doing something right.”
PANTRY ORGANIZATION
The Cedar Ke Food Pantry is a 501c3 not for profit organization. Decisions are made by a board of directors. Funds are expended in three categories: food, Empower for educational needs of clients, and disaster related needs. Donations and volunteers are the core of the Pantry’s success.
Empower has provided supplies, some tuition, and training courses admission for needful individuals with documented success.
Disaster funds have allowed the Pantry to act as the agent to receive 24 trailers for individuals in the Cedar Key area post Helene. To apply for a trailer, tenants needed to be restoring their home and have water and electrical hookup. The title is transferred to the individual shortly after receipt of the trailer.
DOORS, DOORS
The Cedar Key Food Pantry is an incredible asset to this community, offering food, education, visiting health professionals’ care, disaster assistance, and housing assistance.
Support for the Pantry and support for Ms. Colson’s opening doors and her volunteers helping, may be sent to Cedar Key Food Pantry at 11912 State Road 24, Cedar Key, Florida 32625.
