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“Bread by the Bay”

Oconto’s Food Pantry

The need for a food pantry in Oconto was seen and acted upon by an ecumenical church group. Under the guidance and assistance of “Kingdom Come” the Oconto Falls food pantry, “Bread by the Bay” was initiated early in 2009.

“Kingdom Come” was formed almost four years ago initially serving 9 families. At the start of 2009 they averaged over 100 families every week, and 50 were from the Oconto area. An average of thirty pounds of food is given to each family. There is no question, “Bread by the Bay” is needed in Oconto.

Oconto’s food pantry, Bread by the Bay, began operation March 3. It is coordinated by the efforts of six churches in Oconto - First Presbyterian, First American Lutheran, Holy Trinity Parish, New Life Christian Fellowship, Oconto Gospel Chapel, and United Methodist.

 

From the beginning, the Board of Directors and Officers (Brian and Rosemary Rice are representatives from First Presbyterian on the Pantry Board of Directors) decided this pantry would be run like Jesus taught us; therefore, all who come and are hungry will be fed.

       See Matthew 14:15-21, Matthew 15 29-38 and Mark 6:35-44

        (Jesus feeds the crowd with a few loaves and fishes)

 

The pantry is open two days a month, the first and third Tuesdays of every month. It is housed at the United Methodist Church at 64l Washington Street in Oconto.

August 4 the pantry served 62 family units. Since its opening, 310 adults and 159 children, different persons have been served which tells us that not the same people come every time.

 

“Bread by the Bay” is not in our church’s operating budget. It is not meant to take anything away from the ministry of our Deacons - it is an opportunity for us all to give more of our time, talents and money.

Please keep this group in your prayers and help out as you can as we strive to continue to ministry of Jesus Christ through “Bread by the Bay.”

Everything you are able to do is needed and appreciated. To donate your time or talent to make “Bread by the Bay” more available, more fiscally sound and better able to serve those in need in our area, please contact the pantry’s president, Gary Bancroft at 834-5857 or Kathy Schroeder, who is in charge of coordinating volunteers, at 834-2840.

BREAD BY THE BAY FOOD PANTRY

The majority of food is donated by individuals or corporations. Suggestions for weekly donations are forwarded to each church and printed in our weekly worship bulletin. Garden produce is welcomed.

Monetary donations come into use by purchasing needed items for each pantry such as meat, eggs, produce, dairy, etc., to compliment the items donated. Approximately $400 per pantry is spent from our checking account. If you are interested in donating money, checks can be made payable to Bread by the Bay - it is a tax deductible contribution.

Volunteers are always needed to stock the pantry, help with registration, shopping, weighing (everything is weighed and recorded ) and carry-out.

We intend to be incorporated . Rules require us to be open for one year before that can be accomplished. We will then have our own tax ID number and have access to other commodity areas.

Bread by the Bay had a display table at National Night Out at City Hall August 4. Brochures were handed out telling or our mission and offering opportunities to receive and serve. One person commented, “We were just there (at the pantry). Thank you!!” Another was just learning about the pantry and would be telling his friend who was “in need”. Some of the persons who “shop” at the pantry come back to volunteer their time by stocking shelves.

2010 Update