Food pantry makes a difference

By Linda M. Linonis

The volunteer organization follows its motto — ‘a hand in deed for a hand in need.’

CAMPBELL — Volunteers with Difference Makers Inc. food pantry located at St. Lucy/St. Rose of Lima parish center share a strong desire and motivation to do what they can to help people.

“I have been so blessed. I feel it’s my responsibility to help others less fortunate,” said Victor H. Buck, who described himself as semi-retired from a successful insurance business. He organized and oversees the food pantry.

“I’ve been helped in the past and it’s my turn to repay that with the time I can give. I call it recycling,” said Sheilah Gates, a member of St. Rose.

“I’ve been blessed in my life. I think it’s important to give back to society,” said Alfredo Solis, a member of St. Rose and volunteer coordinator.

These sentiments are echoed by the many food pantry volunteers who follow the Difference Makers motto — “a hand in deed for a hand in need.”

The reason why the clients are there is simple — an economy that has made life even more of a financial challenge for those already hard-pressed to cover the basics of living. Without the food pantry and other sources of supplemental sustenance, many would go hungry.

“Some people get here at 8 a.m.,” said Buck. The parking lot at the parish center was filled with cars; some people live nearby and walk over. The line into the food pantry usually goes up the stairway and onto the sidewalk of the parish center.

Inside, it’s hectic but organized. As people file in, Solis asks for a name. If they’re registered, they’re moved to another line to take their turn shopping in the food pantry. If they’re not registered, they’re directed to another table where volunteers take the necessary information. Information is presented in English and Spanish.

Buck said the food pantry follows Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and federal guidelines relating to household size and income. He explained a one- or two-person household has 20 points, a family of three or four, 25 points; and a household with more than four, 32 points.

Accompanied by a volunteer, the client takes a shopping cart and walks through the food pantry, which is set up like a grocery store. The food products, such as canned green beans, peaches, baked beans, vegetable soup, iced tea, orange juice, hot dogs, frozen meals, frozen chicken, cheese, crackers, maple syrup and pancake mix, each are assigned a point value of one or two, Buck said. Meat and chicken are three points. Each shopper can fill his cart until the family’s point limit is reached.

Buck recognized Henry Nemenz of Nemenz Food Stores for donating shelves, signs and a display table that the food pantry uses for baked goods and fresh fruits and vegetables. “He’s been very generous,” Buck said, noting that the pantry buys chicken at a Nemenz store for a good price. He also said students from Campbell Memorial and Ursuline high schools have volunteered.

“We call this a choice pantry because you can come in and select what you want,” Buck said. In many food pantries, boxes of food are prepacked.

This food pantry even has a small selection of personal care items, paper products and diapers. “We just got a donation from Dr. Don DeChellis of 500 toothbrushes and 200 tubes of toothpaste,” Buck said.

After the client fills his cart, his order is bagged and then carried out by a volunteer.

The food pantry, which opened May 21, averages about 125 families per week, Buck said, who also noted 160 families signed up so far. He said clients are about 30 percent Hispanic, 30 percent black and 30 percent white. Buck said the pantry is geared to Campbell and East Side of Youngstown residents. “Eighty-seven percent of the children in Campbell live below the poverty level," he said, adding that the Youngstown rate may be higher.

Buck said the bulk of the food comes from Second Harvest Food Bank and some from Gleaners. The food pantry is an all-volunteer effort.