St. Francis Community Assistance Food Nook

Have you noticed mini food pantries in the area that look like a book nook? If you have, then you may be interested to know that St. Francis Food Pantry volunteers have been stocking these with the small food items that are donated to the pantry. These 'Food Nooks' are a newer and more immediate way to serve those in need. St. Francis has its own 'Food Nook' that was recently installed at the 17th Street Entrance to the Parish Center.

The construction of this was organized by Bob Hass with the generous help of Awerkamp Machine Co, Knapheide Manufacturing, and Peter's Heating and Air Conditioning. The reason that we began to stock the Food Nooks is that for the past several months those clients that the pantry serves has declined due to pandemic stimulus assistance to those in need.

The area 'Food Nooks' have made it possible to share the Food Pantry's donated small containers and packages of food before it becomes outdated. The Food Pantry does not use donated funds to purchase items for the nooks, only donated products. If you wish to donate items to this effort, you may put items in the Food Pantry Containers which are located at all church entrances.

Food Nook Items: small plastic containers (individual serving) of fruit, pudding, soup, rice, noodles; small flip top cans of vegetables, fruits, soup, stew, meats, or fish; nutritious food bars; bags of chips; small hygiene items like soap, tooth brushes, toothpaste, wipes, socks, and hand sanitizer.