Looking for a few good friends

Last year the Colonial Heights Food Pantry doled out $500,000 worth of food products to needy families in the 23834 ZIP code area, according to Bill Humphreys, vice president of the Food Pantry. The Food Pantry, founded by Ruth Chappell as Community United in 2004, has been in operation for eight years in Colonial Heights.

The organization has grown significantly over the years. After starting out in a trailer it quickly was too big and had to move into a rented 1,000 square foot building.  In October 2006, the organization was incorporated as Colonial Heights Food Pantry.  In 2008, the Food Pantry had again outgrown their building. Parking issues drove them to find a new location, and with the support of the Cameron Foundation and the John Randolph Foundation, they were able to set up operations at their current location, 530 Southpark Blvd., Colonial Heights, VA, next to Dance’s Sporting Goods.  They can also be found on the Internet at:  http://www.gatewayrfp.org/default.html.

“Last year, we serviced 114,132 adults, 3,700 seniors, and 12,086 under 18 last year.  That last figure, the number of young people, was what really caught my attention when I was approached about taking on this job,” Humphreys told a small group from Highland United Methodist Men.

Humphreys said other things that caught his attention, were people he knew from throughout the community who needed help. Some of those, he said, were former co-workers. It hurt him to see them in need, but also drove home the point that such a place as the Food Pantry was necessary.

The key to the Food Pantry’s success; however, is its volunteers, he said. Last year, they accumulated 12,770 volunteer hours.  The volunteers come in and everyone just goes to work.

Several local churches, in particular Colonial Heights Baptist Church and Highland United Methodist, have been working with the Food Pantry for years, he said.  Other groups throughout the community also volunteer for the many tasks that need to be performed, a large contingent of volunteers have come from Fort Lee and everyone is put to good use, he said.

Humphreys said the key to the program was the volunteers.  The Food Pantry runs on donations from the community, businesses, and civic organizations and churches in the surrounding area.  Without that support, he said, the Food Pantry wouldn’t be the organization it is today.

“We can always use volunteer help,” he said. “But we also need fresh foods, sanitary items, and other paper goods that people can donate.”

Recently, the Food Pantry sought out someone to take over as the Executive Director, to take over for Mrs. Chappell, Humphreys said.  The Food Pantry conducted a search and found Lorrie Mollnow, who will pick up the reins of the organization.

“The heart and soul of the Food Pantry is without a doubt our volunteers,” Humphreys said.  “We can always use more help. If anyone is interested in volunteering, they can stop by the Food Pantry any week day.  There’s always someone in the office,” Humphrey’s said.