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FOOD SHELF NOW OPEN
524 1st Avenue,
Westbrook, MN
Mary & Martha's
Pantry, the local area food shelf, is open and
thanks are due to many within the Westbrook
community and the surrounding area.
The Pantry is
operated by a group of volunteers from the
community. No one is being paid a wage or
receiving any goods or services for volunteering
at the Panty. Our volunteers are serving
in various capacities as we organize our Pantry
and determine the best methods to operate
efficiently and economically. At present,
Harry Baulisch is the Interim Chairperson with
Suellen Dusek as Secretary, Jeannie Schmitz as
Treasurer and Carol Olsem and Tony Leboutillier
as Lead Volunteers. For the time being,
the Pantry's hours are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
1:30PM - 5:30PM
Wednesday
5:30PM - 8:30PM
Friday & Sunday
Closed
Saturday
8:00am - 11:00am (serving coffee only)
Mary & Martha's
Pantry is a program of Western Community Action,
Inc., a private non-profit agency with a 501 (c)
(3) Internal Revenue Service designation.
Western Community Action (WCA) is not part of
any Federal, State, or County Governmentand its
employees are not federal or state employees.
A local board governs WCA and applies to various
federal and state organizations and foundations
to obtain funding and grants to meet the locally
determined needs of the community. WCA
provides the Pantry with advisors to assist our
volunteers with the operation of our store.
Teaming up with WCA brings to our Pantry a
tremendous amount of experience, guidance and
resources that will allow us to flourish.
Anyone who is
unable to provide food for themselves through
traditional means -- especially, the elderly,
the sick and those who's fiscal situation
warrants assistance -- can be a "Customer" of
the pantry. When an individual or family
makes their first visit to the Pantry, they will
be asked to complete a “Customer Intake Form" to
record a variety of information specific to the
customer's situation and need for assistance.
Customers should bring identification (driver's
license, identification card, etc.) and be able
to show proof of residence (utility bill, some
other piece of mail). Providing financial
information on this form is optional. All
information gathered from individuals is
safeguarded and treated with confidentiality and
is information gathered for the specific use of
the Pantry and Western Community Action.
Customer visits are limited to two (2) visits
per month, other than emergency situations, and
depending upon the availability of some
commodities. We are also attempting to
limit usage to those residents within an
approximate 25 mile radius of Westbrook.
The area around the communities of Westbrook,
Currie, Dovray, Storden, Jeffers, Lamberton and
Walnut Grove are specifically targeted.
All food and commodities are distributed free of
charge to eligible customers.
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