CANYON – Not even the chilly restricted the variety of visitors who got here to see Canyon’s new meals pantry, The Market at Tierra Blanca, simply east of St. Ann Catholic Church, this week. Director Glenn Backus, together with the Rev. Scott Raef of St. Ann Catholic Church, director of operations Simon Leech and volunteers greeted about 100 supporters and spectators with sizzling espresso, water and cookies Tuesday afternoon on the giant inauguration of the services.
Backus addressed the ability of the greenback whereas talking to the group concerning the new facility. “You should buy a jar of peanut butter for a pair dollars at Walmart, however we are able to get three or 4 jars on the meals pantry,” he defined. Backus additionally spoke concerning the building of the ability. He concluded by saying, “Jesus was very clear in telling us the right way to deal with these much less lucky than us. He mentioned, ‘No matter you do to the least of those, you’ll do to me.'” Backus reiterated that it was a group effort and that it could take all of us, not simply St. Anne’s Catholic Church, to take cost of this.
Leech, president of St. Helen’s Outreach and head of market operations, mentioned: “Since our delicate opening in November, we now have served 33 households, with a complete of 95 members in these households. Most of these individuals have turn out to be common prospects. So, we now have supplied meals to 258 individuals in all of the households we now have helped. Forty-seven p.c of these served are adults, 39 p.c are youngsters and 14 p.c are seniors.
“Eighty-one p.c of our houses are in Canyon, 14 p.c are in Amarillo, and to this point we have had just a few guests from Tulia and Completely satisfied. We have additionally began serving some WT college students…and we all know that that may proceed. improve. None of this might be attainable with out the arduous work, ardour and dedication of our volunteers. Now we have had over 400 volunteer hours unfold throughout 67 volunteers who’ve helped obtain the meals, inventory our cabinets and serve our shoppers”.
“We’re open to new volunteers; We settle for all ages,” he added. “Now we have some highschool college students who come frequently, and that counts towards service hours, which is unbelievable. “It has been a journey of affection and actually guided by the Holy Spirit.”
The market is run by volunteers and 125 individuals have already registered. However there’s at all times a necessity for volunteers to assist with services, logistics, landscaping and janitorial duties. Anybody wishing to volunteer can name Marla Wales at 806-683-9034.
“An important factor I’ve seen since we began is that we work arduous to supply the market with an honest buying expertise,” Leech mentioned. “It is completely different while you take certainly one of these carts, do your buying and are accompanied by certainly one of our volunteers that can assist you and we test you on the checkpoint. We at all times have certainly one of our volunteers take prospects to the automotive and cargo the meals into their automotive. Lots of the individuals we have seen to this point come right here for the social expertise, in addition to the meals, and that is actually rewarding to see. At present is admittedly only the start of a journey to make a distinction. All of us have the “Fortunate to be a part of that journey and we stay up for working with all of you to assist our efforts.”
Raef thanked his parishioners for supporting the market. “A couple of week after Covid arrived, we found that this land was on the market. It was in nice demand, nevertheless it was the individuals of St. Ann’s who donated to buy the land. We paid so much, however we felt like we have been being guided to do one thing, and that is the explanation we’re right here: the steering of our monetary advisors and the prayers of the group that began a very long time in the past.”
Pantry prospects are proven how to enroll on-line or on the check-in counter. They’re awarded grocery credit score factors based mostly on the variety of individuals within the household. Credit could be spent or saved for the top of the month. They can’t be carried over to the next month.
The distinction within the “buyer alternative” pantry is that prospects use a buying cart and navigate aisles of meals and chilly instances crammed with milk and meat. They will select their very own merchandise with marked costs. While you make the fee, the credit can be subtracted out of your account, similar to cash.
Bivins Basis analysis discovered that the majority people who find themselves meals insecure want to have the ability to choose their very own meals, slightly than be handed a bag or field of meals, 40 p.c of which is wasted as a result of recipients don’t They will eat it or they do not care. for it. Based on their findings, an growing variety of people who find themselves meals insecure are older individuals.
The pantry can be open from three to 7 p.m. each Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to midday on Fridays, in line with Backus. You’ll comply with Excessive Plains Meals Financial institution tips for monetary . It can serve not solely Randall County, but additionally northern Swisher County and northern Deaf Smith County, in addition to college students at West Texas A&M College.
“The identify Market on the Tierra Blanca was chosen as a result of it would not carry any stigma and prospects could be proud to attend,” Backus mentioned. “WT college students may have no qualms about coming to The Market.” Amongst these attending the grand opening have been Niza Cooper and Evelyn Montoya, members of WTAMU Pupil Affairs who have been amassing info to convey to school college students in want of this service.
Others who attended Tuesday’s occasion included Zach Wilson, government director of the Excessive Plains Meals Financial institution and Gianni Amato, additionally of the meals financial institution, a number of volunteers and leaders from town of Canyon, together with Mayor Gary Hinders and the director of P& Z, Lucas Riley, amongst others.
The Tierra Blanca market will obtain meals donations from people and firms and can buy meals by means of the meals financial institution. The market additionally presents frozen and canned meat, together with canned items and snacks for individuals to select from.