Jennifer Sands posted on December 06, 2017 15:42
From time to time, our pantry manager at the Northern Dauphin Food Pantry accompanies Agency Services staff on site visits with partner agencies. In August 2017, Suzy Blough visited the Fresh Food Farmacy in Shamokin, PA.
"As a pantry manager, I sometimes go out to other agencies within our partner network to learn new and different ways to better serve our clients."
The FFP specializes their services toward diabetic clients and their families. They offer nutritious food choices such as fresh produce, meat, milk and eggs, along with nutrition education.
"On this particular day, I traveled to the agency with a few of colleagues. As one conducted a site inspection and another unloaded produce, I gravitated toward clients in the waiting room where I was warmly greeted by Karen, who was next in line for her food distribution. I asked her how she was doing and she couldn't wait to tell me!"
Karen told Suzy she was very grateful for the services she receives from the pantry -- "the good nutritious food, especially fresh produce and the nutrition education" - such as recipes she receives for her and her family. She is a family of three, and has been using the pantry for less than six months, but has already noticed she was feeling better, had more energy, lost weight and was very proud of her reduction in her A1C level.
Karen wanted to share a story with Suzy about her 21-year-old son. Although he is not diabetic, he was also sharing a lot of the same health concerns his mother was going through. Until they started receiving services, they were consuming a lot of unhealthy foods, not exercising and not fully understanding how to coordinate basic nutrition in conjunction with living a good and healthy life. Her young son had a dream most of his life of becoming a member of the United States Military. Because of the change in his diet, applying the education he and his family learned, he is not only feeling better, and has lost weight, he has now passed his physical and has officially signed as a young member of the US Army.
The difference these services make in our client's lives happen every day. We know that food, guidance, compassion, love and service to others are helping to build strong families within our communities. This pantry and the services they provide daily has helped a family not only improve their health, but may have helped to develop a proud member of our United State Military.
The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is fighting hunger, improving lives and strengthening communities and we may just be making a difference in the world we all live and serve!