The Shepherd's
Pantry was formed in 2000 in a joint effort to help feed
the hungry in the general Fairhaven area. A group of
volunteers from five Fairhaven churches: The Church of
Good Shepherd, St. Mary's, St. Joseph's, Unitarian Memorial
and Trinity Lutheran, gathered a few bags of groceries
and handed them out on a cold January morning to about
12 people.
We
now serve an average of 100 people per week, not only
from Fairhaven and New Bedford, but also from as far
away as Taunton and Fall River, Marion, Acushnet, Mattapoisett,
Rochester, Lakeville and Freetown.
Today,
more than 100 unpaid volunteers work 4 days per week
to process donations of food, stock shelves, fill bags
and distribute to clients. We are open to the public
on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. We give food
to anyone who asks, without restrictions.... without
questions (aside from the information we need to
administer the program). Clients are asked to come once
every 4
weeks so that we can help as many people as possible.
We
became an incorporated non-profit organization in July
2002. Contributions to the Pantry are tax deductible
to the extent allowed by law.
The
Shepherd's Pantry is operated in accordance with
U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, which prohibits
discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex,
age, handicap, religion or place of national origin.
The
Shepherd's Pantry is run entirely by volunteers. There
are no paid staff members.
If
you feel we are providing something of value to the community
and wish to show your appreciation, you can assist the
Shepherd's Pantry and its users with a tax-deductible
contribution. |
