God’s Food Pantry Director Linda White believes it’s God’s will they stay open. During the last two weeks, they’ve collected more than 126,000 pounds of food donations. During this interview, more than 1,000 pounds were dropped off to the center, including close to 600 items from Bavarian Grill in Plano.

A month ago, White put out the word that God’s Food Pantry shelves were empty. Some food donations came in and enough monetary donations to pay October and November’s bills. However, 800 Thanksgiving boxes and 40 no-cook Thanksgiving dinner boxes looked in jeopardy as many shelves were empty.

Word spread through the surrounding communities, and in the last two weeks, more than 125,000 pounds of donations came in to God’s Food Pantry. One woman called from Royse City to donate dozens of cans of a highly specialized baby formula.

“I never thought it would work out like this. I’m tickled to death with the people, businesses, churches and organizations that have pitched in to help. They have my blessings,” White said. “We couldn’t do it without them. It’s God’s will, and the will of the people, that we stay open.”

Christina Nguyen and Claire Minor from Plano Senior High’s Student Congress Community Service Committee dropped off 550 cans of boxes and food, marking the group’s third annual food drive for God’s Food Pantry.

“It feels good to be able to help those less fortunate, especially around the holidays,” said Christina. “I’m glad we were able to help.”

Their next community service project is a toy and school supply drive for the Plano Literacy Group.
 

Volunteers have been working 12-hour days during the past week to put 800 Thanksgiving boxes and 40 no-cook boxes together for distribution on Tuesday, Nov. 24. 

“It’s been wonderful to have to keep a path open for people to walk. We have enough donations that instead of one can of corn and one of green beans, everyone is getting two cans of each!” said Mike White, vice president of God’s Food Pantry.

While they are excited about their astounding success, Mr. White is still concerned.

“I hope that 800 boxes is enough,” he said. “We passed out 500 last year, so 800 is a good increase, but we’ve seen a big increase in the number of people needing help this year. I just hope 800 boxes is enough.”

Mrs. White hopes the momentum will continue.

“Our job doesn’t end with Thanksgiving – we’re open every week during the year, and we give out 800 boxes at Christmas too. Plus we collect new toys for the children too,” she added.

Besides new toys for Christmas, the pantry collects coats, hats, scarves, gloves and blankets to hand out during the cold weather.

“There are so many people to thank,” Mrs. White added. “I’ll write a complete list after Thanksgiving, but one that sticks out is Lindsey Edmonds. She’s a young girl and her parents own a plumbing business. She came up with the idea that every customer who donates food would get a discount. She brought in 482 pounds of food! It’s just amazing. We couldn’t do it without all our supporters.”

 

To help God’s Food Pantry, bring the following canned and boxed goods to their location at 3420 E. 14th St., Ste. 101 in Plano (75074).

For Christmas boxes, bring macaroni and cheese, instant potatoes, stuffing, cake mix, corn bread, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, rice (1-lb. bags), beans (1-lb. bags), sweet peas, corn, green beans, tomatoes, fruit, carrots, pork and beans, canned milk, Ranch Style beans, tuna, canned ham, canned chicken, dry milk, cereal bars, granola bars, ramen noodles, fruit cups, instant macaroni and cheese, Spam and oatmeal. New, unwrapped toys are needed for the Christmas toy drive. 

In addition to the Christmas food list, God’s Food Pantry needs food such as peanut butter, jelly, canned meats and vegetables, pasta, flour and sugar. It also needs infant and childcare items. Monetary donations are needed to pay the rent, utilities, insurance and other costs. 

God’s Food Pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The address is 3420 E. 14th St., Suite 101, Plano, 75074. For more information, visit their Web site at www.godspantry.org.

 

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