Food pantry cupboards still in demand over summer
Pantry shelves are low; fire station seeking food to help
Food boxes are not just for families in need during the holiday. Food is given to families year-round through the North Royalton Food Pantry, a partnership between Royal Redeemer, the city and Kiwanis. The pantry is currently in need of a few items to help restock its shelves. The main fire station is helping out accepting non-perishable donations for the food pantry during the entire month of July. File photo by JAIME ANTON
NORTH ROYALTON – The North Royalton Food Pantry shelves are running low, and the North Royalton Fire Department hopes residents help them come to the rescue this month.
Many often think of donations for the holiday food box program during Thanksgiving and Christmas, but the food pantry provides emergency food boxes year-round. And during summertime, the cupboard inventory can become low.
Though school is out of session, the need for food doesn’t take a vacation.
In fact, for families in need, the summer months can become even more taxing because they must provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, when during the school year, lunch and sometimes breakfast are provided through the free and reduced school program.
Enter the community food pantry.
The Royal Redeemer Food Pantry Partnership with the Kiwanis Club and city of North Royalton has a list of some items it could use to help those in need.
Food items include canned soup, pasta sauce, dried pasta, canned potatoes, canned stew, boxed desserts, snack-size fruit cocktails and applesauce, rice, complete pancake mix and syrup, cereal, canned pasta meals and baked beans.
Full-size toiletry items also accepted include: shampoo and conditioner, single adult toothbrushes, hand soap, large toothpaste, deodorant and paper products like paper towels, toilet paper and tissue.
When firemen heard the shelves were low, it’s no surprise they came to the rescue. During the entire month of July, residents can drop off these non-perishable and hygiene items at the main station at 7000 Royalton Road.
Canned vegetables are not needed at this time, but the pantry is able to receive fresh produce like apples, oranges, potatoes, celery and carrots so these are always welcome.
Kathi Lacinski, food pantry supervisor, said produce prices are expected to spike because of the wet weather conditions this year so donations could take a dip.
“Fresh produce will most likely be more expensive so any donations will be welcome to help ease the burden on residents and ensure they still receive a nutritious meal,” she said.
Monetary and gift card donations, designated specifically for food pantry use, are always appreciated too, allowing the pantry to purchase specific needs as they arise as well as perishables such as ground beef and chicken, milk, cheese, sliced bread and eggs.
Those interested in donating items to the Royal Redeemer food pantry, should contact Lacinski directly beforehand at 440-237-7958 ext. 133. Those interested in donating gift cards can either give them to the church or the office on aging and designate them specifically for the pantry. Monetary donations can be given to Royal Redeemer and designated specifically for the food pantry.
Checks to Royal Redeemer should be made payable to the Royal Redeemer Food Pantry and sent to 11680 Royalton Road, North Royalton, OH, 44133, attention Kathi Lacinski, food pantry.
The Community Meal, hosted the last Sunday of each month, is another opportunity for a free hot meal. This month’s is from 3-5 p.m. July 28 and next month’s is Aug. 25, both at St. Albert the Great Church located at 6667 Wallings Road.
St. Albert the Great also hosts a free monthly community breakfast, the Community Café, served the second Tuesday of the month from 9:30-10:30 a.m. July 9 and Aug. 13 at the church.
Low-income seniors and families who meet low-income guidelines can also receive fresh produce through the North Royalton Produce Market, a cooperative effort of the Greater Cleveland Foodbank and partner agency St. Albert along with the city of North Royalton, Royal Redeemer and Abundant Life Community Church. The market is hosted from 1-3 p.m. July 9, Aug. 13 and Sept. 10 at the York Road ballfield pavilion at 14631 York Road.
Many often think of donations for the holiday food box program during Thanksgiving and Christmas, but the food pantry provides emergency food boxes year-round. And during summertime, the cupboard inventory can become low.
Though school is out of session, the need for food doesn’t take a vacation.
In fact, for families in need, the summer months can become even more taxing because they must provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, when during the school year, lunch and sometimes breakfast are provided through the free and reduced school program.
Enter the community food pantry.
The Royal Redeemer Food Pantry Partnership with the Kiwanis Club and city of North Royalton has a list of some items it could use to help those in need.
Food items include canned soup, pasta sauce, dried pasta, canned potatoes, canned stew, boxed desserts, snack-size fruit cocktails and applesauce, rice, complete pancake mix and syrup, cereal, canned pasta meals and baked beans.
Full-size toiletry items also accepted include: shampoo and conditioner, single adult toothbrushes, hand soap, large toothpaste, deodorant and paper products like paper towels, toilet paper and tissue.
When firemen heard the shelves were low, it’s no surprise they came to the rescue. During the entire month of July, residents can drop off these non-perishable and hygiene items at the main station at 7000 Royalton Road.
Canned vegetables are not needed at this time, but the pantry is able to receive fresh produce like apples, oranges, potatoes, celery and carrots so these are always welcome.
Kathi Lacinski, food pantry supervisor, said produce prices are expected to spike because of the wet weather conditions this year so donations could take a dip.
“Fresh produce will most likely be more expensive so any donations will be welcome to help ease the burden on residents and ensure they still receive a nutritious meal,” she said.
Monetary and gift card donations, designated specifically for food pantry use, are always appreciated too, allowing the pantry to purchase specific needs as they arise as well as perishables such as ground beef and chicken, milk, cheese, sliced bread and eggs.
Those interested in donating items to the Royal Redeemer food pantry, should contact Lacinski directly beforehand at 440-237-7958 ext. 133. Those interested in donating gift cards can either give them to the church or the office on aging and designate them specifically for the pantry. Monetary donations can be given to Royal Redeemer and designated specifically for the food pantry.
Checks to Royal Redeemer should be made payable to the Royal Redeemer Food Pantry and sent to 11680 Royalton Road, North Royalton, OH, 44133, attention Kathi Lacinski, food pantry.
The Community Meal, hosted the last Sunday of each month, is another opportunity for a free hot meal. This month’s is from 3-5 p.m. July 28 and next month’s is Aug. 25, both at St. Albert the Great Church located at 6667 Wallings Road.
St. Albert the Great also hosts a free monthly community breakfast, the Community Café, served the second Tuesday of the month from 9:30-10:30 a.m. July 9 and Aug. 13 at the church.
Low-income seniors and families who meet low-income guidelines can also receive fresh produce through the North Royalton Produce Market, a cooperative effort of the Greater Cleveland Foodbank and partner agency St. Albert along with the city of North Royalton, Royal Redeemer and Abundant Life Community Church. The market is hosted from 1-3 p.m. July 9, Aug. 13 and Sept. 10 at the York Road ballfield pavilion at 14631 York Road.