The folks from Homer Community Food Pantry would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all the people who supported our recent Empty Bowls fundraiser. It is such an incredible contribution from the people throughout our community and beyond! This year’s grand total came out to be $13,063 at our final count. Our little hamlet is so amazing and generous. First of all, none of this would be possible without our fabulous potters who always come through for us. A huge shout out to Ahna Iredale, Carrie Longpre, Claire Jorgensen, David Kaufman, Homer Council on the Arts, Homer High School, Jeff Szarzi, Joe Harrington, Liliana Ruetov, Megan Lotscher, Ruby Haigh, Valisa Higman and potters from Seldovia, Yvonne Lentwyler and a few anonymous donors. This year’s artisan potters came through with a whopping 182 bowls, and we were still a sell-out!
What would a souper-bowl be without soups? Contributing sensational homemade soups were Cove and Co, Main Street Ramen, Land’s End, Alasandro’s, Red Bird, Captain’s Coffee, Wendell Cummings, Two Sisters, Matt Dickerson, Twisted Goat, Latitude 59, Lana Blair, Fat Olives, Wild Honey Bistro, Stan Rivera, Susan Sookram, Lil Tutka Brew Pub, Vida’s and AJ’s. Savory breads were delivered by Bear City Breads, Caroline Venuti, Credit Union 1, Captain’s Coffee and Safeway. Numerous friends and volunteers provided a variety of desserts, which seemed to be a big hit as folks walked by the dessert table before getting their bowls of soup! Nothing like a sweet treat prior to downing a hearty bowl of soup!
A heartfelt “thank you” to the dedicated volunteers who show up each year so that all of this can come together: Sherry Stead and Tracy Asselin who initially contact the potters and restaurants and deliver fliers throughout town; Dale Barwick for printing the fliers; all those who show up to serve the soups and do the set-up as well as clean-up. To the cooks in the kitchen, the dishwashers and those roving to make sure everyone has what they need and clear the dishes. We can’t thank you enough. It’s such a beautiful community gathering where folks support the pantry but also come together to visit and see friends from years past and present.
Homer’s Community Food Pantry has seen a steady increase in clients and need in and around our little town. This past Monday we had 202 people coming through the pantry providing for 406 people. We’ve had 30 new families sign up this last month alone. We also serve 150 clients in Port Graham and Nanwalek. We provide food assistance for students at Homer High School, Head Start and Hospice of Homer.
Our services continue to expand with a new pop-up clinic provided every Monday; the Homer Library provides student and adult books; clients can apply for non-food essentials such as help with heating, fuel and rent, and find an array of support suggestions. We have had the Lions Club on location taking names for Thanksgiving boxes and often have others offering vet help and vaccinations, flu shots and recovery assistance. We have a Community Free Fridge that we stock twice a day, seven days a week, with homemade meals, sandwiches, soups and desserts. We have only two paid positions and spend $3,700 a week on food alone and many consistent private donors as well. That amount does not include the rental space of the church, paying for electricity, a dishwasher and housekeeping. In other words, without our numerous volunteers and anonymous donors, we couldn’t pull this off.
We appreciate all those who contribute time, food donations and monetary support, so that… ~none may go hungry~
Deb Schmidt is a Homer Community Food Pantry board member.
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