Homer Alaska - Opinion

Looking back over 2009, the Homer Community Food Pantry had a record year in terms of income contributions, donations of food and the yearly food expense we spent.

We also saw the completion of a long-term goal: the installation of a walk-in freezer, put in by Andy's Refrigeration.

If you drive by Homer United Methodist Church on any Monday of the year, you'll see many cars and a lot of activity. Anywhere from 20-35 volunteers show up to load, unload, organize and set up food for the distribution that occurs from 1-3 p.m.

The food pantry has been in operation 19 years. Here are some facts that may give you an understanding of what it is we do:

* In 2009, a total of 38,700 adults and children were served on 52 Mondays. That is 28 percent more than in 2008.

* In 2009, 1,600 unduplicated clients were served, that means, on average an individual was served 24 times or nearly every other week.

* Food purchases in 2009 totaled $12,400 or 12 percent more than in 2008. Twenty-four percent of this food was purchased at a nominal fee from the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank; 76 percent was purchased by the pantry from other businesses like Sam's, Kachemak Wholesale, Save-U-More and Safeway. These purchases were needed to supplement food provided by local citizens and businesses.

* Where do these funds come from? The Homer community generously contributed 55 percent of our total income in 2009. Another 16 percent came from special fundraisers. Grants accounted for 29 percent of the total income.

* Prepared meals served in 2009 were 5,170 or nearly 100 per week.

* In 2009, 165 clients received emergency utilities, shelter, medical and other emergency needs.

* Nonprofits such as Haven House, Refuge Room, NAMI and three schools are provided food weekly.

* Volunteers worked more than 14,500 hours or an average of approximately 280 volunteer hours per week collecting food from local stores, sorting and preparing it for distribution and distributing the food.

On a typical Monday morning approximately 30 volunteers are working together as a team. We are 100 percent volunteer workers.

* We couldn't distribute food without our faithful donors: Safeway, Save-U-More Duncan House, Latitude 59, the Elks, KBay Cafe, Kachemak Locksmith, Andy's Refrigeration, Homer United Methodist Church and, of course, our generous community of Homer.

Our special thanks to all you wonderful donors who help us keep our shelves stocked and our freezer full.

Upcoming is the Feinstein Challenge 2010. For the 13th consecutive year, Mr. Feinstein will divide $1 million among hunger-fighting agencies nationwide using it to help agencies raise funds during March and April. The more donations of cash, checks or food items we receive, (valued at $1 per item or 1 pound) the more of the Feinstein money we will receive. It's a great time for a food drive.

Right now we are very low on meat and have no fish. We can always use ziplocs, jars, bottles, bags and tubs only up to 16 ounces.

Many thanks for our community's continued support and love for their neighbors. It's a beautiful thing.

Diana Jeska is the president of the Homer Community Food Pantry board.