Food pantry receives accolades

[May 23, 2011]  Bill Overton, the president of the Lincoln/Logan County Food Pantry, recently received a letter regarding a compliance monitoring visit from the Central Illinois Foodbank in Springfield.

Although the local pantry relies greatly on local donations of cash and foodstuffs, they also purchase large amounts of food at discounted prices through the CIF.

An all-volunteer agency, the local food pantry has been able to continue to be viable in times when other pantries have gone under or have had to cut back. Its success is due to the numerous volunteers who man the pantry as well as all the churches, church groups and civic organizations that continue to donate to the cause.

Although Overton, pantry manager Norm Newhouse and all the volunteers go about their labors purely for the sake of helping others, there was a sense of pride in them all when they received the following communication:

Dear Bill,

Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about your agency during Sylvia Miller's recent compliance monitoring visit. Central Illinois Foodbank appreciates your hard work and dedication in ending hunger in our communities. The Foodbank looks forward to continuing our partnership with your agency. The purpose of our recent visit was to not only learn more about your agency and strengthen our partnership, but to ensure that all Central Illinois Foodbank's compliance standards are being met. We found your agency to be in full compliance with the Central Illinois Foodbank.

In addition, Sylvia found your food pantry to be exemplary in many ways. You get a great deal of community support through monetary donations which ensure that your organization is able to continue its services, even in a challenging economy. You are able to employ a large number of volunteers which is very important in a food pantry's sustainability. Lincoln/Logan Food Pantry utilizes many best practices such as client choice and providing a large amount of food per family. The pantry has an ideal set up for choice distribution and is extremely clean and organized. Finally, your food pantry is very welcoming and treats individuals with dignity.

For these reasons, your agency has been "Caught in the Act of Excellence". Your agency will be recognized in the last foodlist of the month for your commendable work. The Central Illinois Foodbank is proud to have you as a partner agency. Keep up the great work.

Sincerely,

Shawna Cain
Agency Relations/Program Assistant, Central Illinois Foodbank
2000 E. Moffat Ave. Springfield, IL 62702

[Text from file received; LDN]