OAK GROVE

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Oak Grove United Methodist Church
775 Chapanoke Road
Hertford, NC 27944
ph: 252-333-0435
pastorray2@gmail.com

Perquimans Mobile Food Pantry

A group of local church's purchase the food from The Food Bank of the Albemarle and distribute it on the SECOND THURSDAY of each month.

From 5:30 PM till the food is gone (usually less than 1 1/2 hours). On Grubb Street in Hertford at the old Harris Shopping Center (just before the railroad tracks).

All food is free, the only requirement is to have a valid Perquimans County identification. We do this the SECOND Thursday of every month.

The need is great and every month we have more and more people coming out.

Volunteers to help with the distribution or donations are always accepted. We need volunteers to help with the sign in sheets, to sort food, and to help carry food to the cars for those that are not able.

For more information on how you can help, you can contact us, or Pastor Ed Rutenkroger [erutenkroger@nccumc.org].

May 2010

Hello all,

Thank you for all your help an support for our mobil food pantry. We had another successful distribution yesterday. I've attached the report I send to the Food Bank so you can see the records as well.

As most of you know, the Methodist pastors will be at Annual Conference on June 10 (our next distribution date). I am confident that the volunteer base can handle it. Karen has agreed to help coordinate the food (Oak Grove UMC) and I a hoping that Yvonne will agree to coordinate registration and work with Tony. I so appreciate all that everyone does to advance the work of the Kingdom.

God Bless,

125 Families were assisted. Total of 300 People in those families. 20 were below the age of 5, 56 were between the ages of 5 and 17, 181 were between the ages of 18 and 64, and 43 were above the age of 65.

APRIL 2010

Hello all,

Many thanks to all who helped with our distribution this evening. I really appreciate what you do together to minister to our community. Also, thanks to all who support our effots with your gifts and prayers.

Our April distribution served 107 households with a total of 308 people- 24 were children under 4: 45 were people aged 65+. Of the 107 households, only 21 indicated that they were employed, and 49 indicated that they receive food stamps. For this month- 5% of the recipients are Hispanic, 24% are White, 69% are Black, and 2% are of undeclared race.

Once again, thanks for all you do. This work is a true and visible sign of Christ's presence among us.

The Peace of Christ be with you,

JANUARY 2010

The official records for last night show that we served 101 families with
a total of 294 individuals. Of those 101 registered only 31 are employed
and 44 recieve food stamps.

The next distribution will be from 5:30 - 7:00 at the usual location on
February 11. I anticipate that the demand will be back to our usual
numbers next month. Thank you for all you do to support this valuable
ministry.

The Peace of Christ be with you,

Ed

DECEMBER 2009

Our new registration system has provided much more accurate data. We registered 189 families (representing a total of 494 people) this evening. As you know we ran out of meat and canned goods at around number 151, but those at the end did receive some bread products. We were also able to direct them to other agencies for assistance within the next week or so.

Thank all of you who came out to volunteer. Your efforts made this a smooth evening and we were able to provide valuable help to many in need. I am emailing Patty at the food bank this evening to request food for 200 families for our January distribution.

May the Peace of Christ be with you,

NOVEMBER 2009

The Food Bank of the Albemarle is very sorry that they had to cancel last week. They had lots of water there and lost access to the warehouse. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find a workable date to re-schedule until too close to our December date. The Food Bank has agreed to put aside our non-perishable items for November and add them to our December delivery. That should allow us to give each family a double portion of non-perishables as we approach Christmas.

With that in mind, please reserve December 10 and encourage others to come out and help. It should be a large December distribution and we will need plenty of volunteers.

In the meantime, we can direct people in need directly to the Food Bank in Elizabeth City (109 Tidewater Way, Elizabeth City, NC 27906)(252-335-4035)for emergency distribution. They should identify themselves as people who normally receive from Perquimans MFP.This service is available of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. An interview will be conducted to determine the extent of assistance needed.

OCTOBER 2009 139 families received food. The total number of people assisted was 354. 26% are currently employed and 50% are receiving food stamps. We ran out of food at 6:20 PM.

SEPTEMBER 2009 we gave out food to people from 142 different households. They represented 357 people from those households. Of that number, 95 were 17 years old or younger and 60 were 65 years and older.