'People Don't Even Know There's a Pantry Here'

Monroe Food Pantry Dir. Wendy Jolls loaded up her cart with frozen vegetables one day, while stocking up for town families in need, when a woman approached her.

"She said, 'What's up with all the frozen vegetables? There's got to be a story here,'" Jolls recalled.

Jolls explained that she was using a donation to buy food for the pantry and how the vegetables were on sale. "I wanted a healthy alternative," she said.

Jolls said the woman was shocked to learn that the 195 families that depend on the pantry to keep food on their table all live in Monroe.

When the cashier forgot to put a bag in Jolls' cart, the woman called Jolls about it.

"She brought it to me, handed me the bag and a 20-dollar-bill," Jolls said with a smile.

Jolls recently formed the Monroe Food Pantry Committee to assist her with increasing public awareness of the need felt by families stung by the economy and to find ways to bring in more cash and food donations. On Monday night it held its first meeting at the pantry at 980 Monroe Turnpike.

In addition to Jolls, the committee includes Jaime Geisel, Rhenda Rooney, Shannon Reilly Monaco, Mary Scianna-Lisi, Susan Wernau and David Pia.

A Brainstorming Session

Jolls says she spends $1,500 a month on food to meet the rising demand.

"If I continue to spend like I have to spend, we'll be out of money by the end of September," she said.

Most of the donations come in from October through December, when people are thinking about the food pantry during the holidays, according to Jolls, who told committee members she must find ways to increase donations during the rest of the year.

Rooney noted how banks often support agencies like food pantries and that a number of companies put funding aside to support community efforts. She said the food pantry must find a way to tap into those resources.

Rooney and Scianna-Lisi both agreed that bake sales can raise around $400 per event.

Jolls wants to have a larger event that brings the public to the food pantry, something like a barbecue with a silent auction.

Monaco, who is a Realtor, said she has experience organizing an annual golf tournament for a Realtors organization and could do the same to raise funds for the Monroe Food Pantry.

Susan Wernau, a former chef, said she can make phone calls and keep children occupied during fundraising events by decorating cupcakes and doing crafts.

How You Can Help

A large steel refrigerator inside the Monroe Food Pantry kitchen is no longer able to maintain the proper temperatures to prevent food from spoiling. Jolls is hoping someone can donate a replacement.

Volunteers, especially drivers, are also needed.

To make a donation or volunteer, call Jolls at 203-452-3770.

Food donations may be dropped off in the bin along the driveway in front of the pantry. To bring in a donation directly, Jolls can be called to arrange a visit. And she sometimes goes out to pick up donations herself.

The Monroe Food Pantry also provides opportunities for students.

"Anyone who needs community service hours can call me and I'll tell them how to have 10-15 hours by running their own food drive," Jolls said.