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Time to help our neighbors
For the next few months, you’re going to hear a lot from Larry Johnson, pastor of the University Baptist Church. Johnson has just been elected chairman of a new volunteer program, the Food Pantry of Alpine. Early this week, I talked to Johnson and Margaret Underwood about the organization’s exciting vision. Underwood, by the way, is the vice chair. Some of you may be saying, “Well, we have a food bank here. Why do we need a food pantry?” Easy answer: Yes, we do have a branch of the West Texas Food Bank in Alpine. And, yes, there’s at least one small food private food pantry at a local church. That’s all great, but here’s the deal: The West Texas Food Bank is not in the business of passing out food to individuals. The Food Bank collects food from various sources. It then works with a network of organizations - community centers, nursing homes, local food pantries, etc. Those in the network pass out the food. The problem is, we have only one food pantry providing monthly food distribution in Alpine. And that’s a small operation. Think about this: the Jeff Davis Food Pantry, which just might be the best - and best-run - food pantry in Texas, distributes 550 pounds of food per person in poverty. That’s 10 times the national average. And it’s a whole lot more than the 45 pounds distributed in Alpine. “This is alarming,” says John Horneman, Alpine branch manger of the West Texas Food Bank, “Monthly distribution centers are important because they provide regular, consistent assistance to the elderly and retired community that subsists on fixed incomes and act as a relief center for those who have found themselves in hard times.” At present, he said, Alpine’s lone distribution outlet is supported only by the church out of which it operates. Plus, that program only has the money to provide supplemental three-day supplies. Horneman and Johnson say there are better ways to provide relief and aid to our friends and neighbors. “In my experience, the food pantries that pool community resources perform the best, raise the most money and are able to distribute the most food,” Horneman said. But that can change, Johnson says. His belief is based on the fact that Alpine has more than 30 churches, civic organizations and charitable organizations that can each put in small amounts of resources to achieve a larger goal. And that’s where the Alpine Food Pantry can step in. “The Alpine Food Pantry project would gather our strengths to address our present weaknesses,” Horneman said. “What Alpine requires is a dedicated Food Pantry that represents itself as such. “Doing so increases the donor base, grant opportunities, volunteer networks and enhances a sense of inclusiveness in the Food Pantry operations.” The need is there. In Alpine, we have more than 1,200 residents living below the poverty level, 30 percent of them children under the age of 18. We also have a large elderly population that subsists on fixed incomes and pensions in a time of rising food and fuel prices. As Johnson points out, we’re talking about hard-working folks (or people who have worked all their lives) who simply need a boost in stretching their food dollar. “The fact is,” Johnson said, “we have [West Texas Food Bank] but no way to get food into the hands of people we need it.” A few weeks ago, after talking in depth with Horneman and others, the Rev. John Medvick of the Holy Cross Anglican Church, decided action was needed. He put out a call to interested people and organizations to see what we could do to rectify the situation. Among those who sent representatives to the first meeting were: First Presbyterian Church, University Baptist Church, Holy Cross Anglican Church, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Sul Ross State University and the Big Bend Arts Council. (By the way, although unable to attend the first meeting, the Avalanche talked with Medvick and pledged full cooperation in the endeavor. We will do anything we can to help move this project forward.) “Out of that first meeting,” Johnson said, “came the desire to set up an organization that is specifically organized and community based - and not just the churches - that can move food from the Food Bank into the hands of people that need it. “It’s all about putting the interests of others above our own,” he added. Johnson has been involved in similar projects. When he was pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Ingleside, he helped run the Tri-County Assistance Food Service in Aransas Pass. “A lot of people just need some help,” he said. “They usually have jobs and income but have severe problems making their budgets stretch,” he added. “We believe we can build a program where a family of four with an income of up to $39,000 can still [qualify for] food twice a month. “My goal is to promote the cooperation within churches in the area,” he said. “I’ve been part of these cooperative efforts for 25 years of my ministry. I would love to see denominations come together and partner with us.” Underwood brings skills to the project that are similar to Johnson’s. “I was involved with a free medical clinic, the same principle but different avenue, low-income and below-poverty guidelines in Chester, S.C.,” she said. “I was a fulltime volunteer and did a bit of everything, from the beginning of 2003 until we moved [to Alpine] in January of 2008. “The main thing is the community involvement,” she said. “We can’t make it without involvement of the entire community.” “Right now, we’re getting together a list of specific needs,” Johnson said. “Margaret will then meet with businesses, and I’m going to deal with churches as we gather up the resources. “We’re not talking about much money, maybe $1,000 to get started,” he said. After that, with help from volunteers, grants and resources such as the West Texas Food Bank, the Alpine Food Pantry can be self-sustaining. “Among the first things we need to do,” he said, “is take care of” legal bureaucratic formalities, such as filing for nonprofit status, etc. Along with that, Johnson wants a clear mission statement. “Our vision is to provide that kind of security and loving kindness that our neighbors need. “We’ll need a space, but it doesn’t have to be much, maybe a thousand square feet,” he said. “We merely need an independent, neutral site to bring the food twice a month. There, we’ll sort it, box it, prepare and then pass it out to the public. “We feel very strongly an independent neutral site is better than one church or another church,” Johnson said. “At the same time, we need to build our volunteer base. We simply need people that can work twice a month for a couple or so hours. It’s easy work and it’ll be fun.” Johnson and others estimate that the Food Pantry can provide food to those who need it for about 18 cents a pound. “We are our brother’s keeper,” Johnson said, “We need to help those who need help.” For the next few months, you’re going to hear a lot from Larry Johnson, pastor of the University Baptist Church. Folks who want to help, donate time or money or simply want more information can email University Baptist Pastor Larry Johnson at ubc1707@sbcglobal.net and reference the Food Pantry T ArtWalk: best little intercontinental party in the world A Avalanche staff Homes tour: Holland-Robinson house is one of most imposing Holland-Robinson home at 103 North 11th Street, which is one of five residences on Alpine’s Christmas Historic Tour of Homes, is one of the more imposing of Alpine’s historic homes. |
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