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Using several local churches, neighbors are helping neighbors though hard times in south Independence.
When the Community Services League last summer needed someone to step up and run its food shelf at Ebenezer Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mike and Darla Pummill of Blue Springs said yes.
And demand is growing.
“It’s been increasing every month since I got here in July,” Mike Pummill said, adding that October’s demand was 6 percent higher than in October 2009.
The Pummills, members of next-door Christ United Methodist Church, also help gather food at that congregation, one of a handful that the food shelf relies on for donations.
“This affects the community right here,” Mike said.
The food shelf serves the 64055 ZIP Code – essentially Independence south of 23rd Street, between Crysler Avenue and Missouri 291 – and is open on Wednesdays.
“And it seems like the economy has affected this area a lot,” Pummill said.
“There is more need out there than what we’re meeting,” he adds.
Clients typically are given 45 food items for the family, and more than 100 clients come in each month. In addition, Pummill has resources to help three or maybe five people a month with utilities – but has to turn away about 80.
Christ United Methodist has been a steady supporter of the food shelf for years, with monthly events such as Souper Sunday. Last month a special push brought in 2,063 food items, which is a lot but would only sustain the food shelf for a couple of weeks.
And today, as on every third Thursday, there is a distribution of food at Christ United Methodist – mostly produce – from Harvesters. Typically about 250 families come.
Other churches gather food, too, and New Hope Lutheran, a small congregation meeting at Ebenezer, gathers hygiene products that the Independence School District gives to homeless students.
“This kind of opens your eyes a little,” said Betty Bolles, a New Hope member and volunteer at the food shelf.
Those who want to help – a little or a lot, food or a check – can bring their donations on Wednesdays.
“We just need people to bring stuff,” Bolles said.
And there are hurdles. Many clients have to walk to get there, and it’s hard to make people aware that the food shelf is even there.
“It’s all word of mouth,” Mike said.
The Pummills, members at Christ United Methodist since 1975, have been active in church work for years. For example, they gathered hundreds of coats last year for those in need. So when Mike retired from the post office with 42 years of federal service, he was looking for something to do.
“Being retired, I know you’ve got to remain active,” he said.
He said working at the food shelf lends some perspective. You might be going through the day, he said, thinking things aren’t very good.
“And then you come here,” he said, “and see you don’t have any problems.”
Using several local churches, neighbors are helping neighbors though hard times in south Independence.
When the Community Services League last summer needed someone to step up and run its food shelf at Ebenezer Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mike and Darla Pummill of Blue Springs said yes.
And demand is growing.
“It’s been increasing every month since I got here in July,” Mike Pummill said, adding that October’s demand was 6 percent higher than in October 2009.
The Pummills, members of next-door Christ United Methodist Church, also help gather food at that congregation, one of a handful that the food shelf relies on for donations.
“This affects the community right here,” Mike said.
The food shelf serves the 64055 ZIP Code – essentially Independence south of 23rd Street, between Crysler Avenue and Missouri 291 – and is open on Wednesdays.
“And it seems like the economy has affected this area a lot,” Pummill said.
“There is more need out there than what we’re meeting,” he adds.
Clients typically are given 45 food items for the family, and more than 100 clients come in each month. In addition, Pummill has resources to help three or maybe five people a month with utilities – but has to turn away about 80.
Christ United Methodist has been a steady supporter of the food shelf for years, with monthly events such as Souper Sunday. Last month a special push brought in 2,063 food items, which is a lot but would only sustain the food shelf for a couple of weeks.
And today, as on every third Thursday, there is a distribution of food at Christ United Methodist – mostly produce – from Harvesters. Typically about 250 families come.
Other churches gather food, too, and New Hope Lutheran, a small congregation meeting at Ebenezer, gathers hygiene products that the Independence School District gives to homeless students.
“This kind of opens your eyes a little,” said Betty Bolles, a New Hope member and volunteer at the food shelf.
Those who want to help – a little or a lot, food or a check – can bring their donations on Wednesdays.
“We just need people to bring stuff,” Bolles said.
And there are hurdles. Many clients have to walk to get there, and it’s hard to make people aware that the food shelf is even there.
“It’s all word of mouth,” Mike said.
The Pummills, members at Christ United Methodist since 1975, have been active in church work for years. For example, they gathered hundreds of coats last year for those in need. So when Mike retired from the post office with 42 years of federal service, he was looking for something to do.
“Being retired, I know you’ve got to remain active,” he said.
He said working at the food shelf lends some perspective. You might be going through the day, he said, thinking things aren’t very good.
“And then you come here,” he said, “and see you don’t have any problems.”
