Food Pantry

Meeting Minutes of January 21, 2010

PRESENT: Gail Dransfield, Barbara Merrill, Betty Crane, Barbara Merrill.

BALANCE: $5518.84

REQUESTS OCT. - JAN.: Families/ 157; Adults/ 268; Children / 249

OLD BUSINESS:
1. There were a large number of donations from church members and civic groups. Cape Elizabeth H.S. Volunteer Club/ $200.00, Cape Elizabeth United Methodist / $130.00 + food drive, Mission Team / $200.00 Church members. Gail will write “Thank you” notes to all above.

2. The new system of leaving the bags for clients in the pantry until someone comes to the office to ask for them the following day seems to be working well for everyone.
*Record the date of the request on the yellow pad and in the file box, not the pick up date
*Please re-shelve any bags left in the pantry for longer than 7 days. Cross out the client’s name from the yellow pad and also the date on the index card in the file box. Otherwise, they will not be eligible for food for another 2 months.

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Gail had an interview with a social worker from Preble St. Preble Street is surveying all the Portland area food banks and programs. They are trying to assess the needs and to explore other ways to serve those needing food.

2. St. John’s Food Bank gave us 50 boxes from Hannaford from the Feed the Hungry collection.

3. Girl Scout Leaders meeting, Feb. 1, food donations will be collected.

4. Ann Elissa will prepare the Annual Report this April.

5. Barbara reported that Hannaford now offers restricted gift cards: (cannot be used to purchase alcohol or tobacco). We will only purchase these cards from now on.

6. Betty Crane has asked to be relieved from working every Tues. for at least 6 weeks. This leaves only Mon. and Fri. covered by a regular volunteer. Three substitutes winter in Florida. Two members are out for a time. Barbara Merrill will write a piece for the next Beacon asking for new volunteers.

7. Gail will write to the Bazaar committee thanking them for the past support and telling them that we will not be requesting money this year as we have such a comfortable balance. It is hoped that their money will then help another group.

8. The Spirit Team asked us to consider including an invitation along with each bag to attend worship. After an honest discussion it was decided to not do this. The group felt that the pantry is “housed” at our church but not solely supported by our church. It was suggested that an invitation to visit our church with a listing of the holiday services be including in the Thanksgiving Baskets as that program is done by our Mission Team and seems more appropriate.

9. Next meeting May 20 @ 4:00 p.m.- Laity Room.