The Season of Thanksgiving

We have just experienced the season of Thanksgiving and the Camden Area Christian Food Pantry is most thankful to have been the recipient of three recent food drives.

On Friday, Nov 17, CHRHS held a food drive as part of their Spirit Week activities. Boxes of food were delivered that filled a large table at the food pantry. The event was organized by Sara Cole Pardun, student council mentor. Classes are in competition for the honor of collecting the most food items, but every class is to be commended for their spirit of giving to help others.

On Sun, Nov 19th, local Cub Scout Troop 200 arrived at our door with another table load, and more, of boxes of food. Twelve of their eighteen members, ranging in age from Kindergarten to 5th grade, were able to participate in this food drive which begins with going door to door leaving “door tags” requesting food. The following week the scouts returned to these homes to collect food that was not already dropped off at the First Congregational Church in Camden, which has been sponsoring the Cub Scout troop for several years. The troop went above and beyond in their effort by date checking each item which is greatly appreciated by CACFP volunteers.

Then on Tues, Nov 21st we were surprised by a special delivery to sweeten the season. Employees of the First National Bank (Camden branch) dropped off boxes from their annual Sugar and Spice food drive. The donations consisted of bottles of various spices and package mixes to make a variety of sweets. That is sure to bring smiles to many faces, both young and old.

Behind the scenes is our ever-faithful volunteer, Chipper O’Connell, who shelves all these donations. She works quietly in the background having supported CACFP for many years. Chipper also works every week to shelve other food donated by individuals and church food collections. She is usually a one-woman tour de force, but when these big food drives occur, Chipper has been known to rope in other family members. Her help is invaluable.

These are just three of a few annual food drives that occur each year at CACFP. We are most thankful and blessed to have such wonderful people in our community to organize these efforts and also to the people who donate to make these events successful.

Please know that the families we serve are very thankful to be able to receive this food.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Gratefully,

CACFP Board Members

Cub Scout Troop 200 in front of their food collection

Cub Scout Master Matt Tepelmann and Scout Benjamin Tepelmann