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To the Editor:
Thank you for providing this forum to express appreciation.
On Saturday, Aug. 26, the Juniata County Food Pantry concluded the 11th year of providing our Summer Backpack Program to the Juniata County community. Having registered 172 students for the program, we have completed our most successful year in the recent past. While food insecurity remains an issue at the local, state, and national levels, our local mission is to meet the needs of as many students and their families as possible. The Juniata County Food Pantry is here to serve.
I am never prouder to be a resident of Juniata County than when I reflect on the generosity of this community. Our Summer Backpack Program would not be nearly as effective without the support of our local partners. Our ability to provide food and school supplies is proportional to the kindness of local citizens, churches, organizations, and businesses. We refer to them as "Pantry Angels." As Helen Keller stated, "Hunger is not a problem. It is an obscenity. How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
My appreciation is extended to the following who provided valuable financial support and/or donations of food and/or school supplies throughout the summer:
Deb Yingling, Sandy Miller, Diana Fosselman, Jamie and Karen Barnes, Deb Palm, Brenda Clark, Carole Auker, Sam and Linda Leister, Drew Wagner, Marge Noerr, Austin and Nancy Willi, Jean Lupolt, Matamoras United Methodist Church, East Salem United Methodist Church, S.H.A.R.E. Committee of Pine Grove and McAlisterville United Methodist Church, Port Royal Presbyterian Church, Mexico Full Gospel Mission, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Locust Run United Methodist Church, WELCA of Messiah Lutheran Church, Otterbein Global Methodist Church, Thompsontown Methodist Church, East Salem Community Church, St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, United Church of God, Messiah Lutheran Church, Keystone Koating, my sisters of Delta Kappa Gamma, Sharp Shopper of Belleville, and many anonymous donors.
Additionally, these volunteers donated their time to the operation of the program:
Linda Clark, Frances Fitzgerald, Shirley Symmerman, Barb Geedey, Robin Saner, Ben Losch, Selena Fultz, and Madison Blewett. Thank you for your unselfish commitment of time and devotion to service! A special thank you goes to Sue Lukens who is my partner in "all things backpack." She is a combination of enthusiasm and organization!
Thank you to the staff and regular volunteers of the food pantry for your willingness to accommodate an additional layer to the pantry's busy schedule! Your efforts made our mission more manageable for our clients and students.
My final thank you is to Glenda Fultz, our executive director of the Juniata County Food Pantry, who leads by her example. "Let your light shine before others." (Matthew 5:16)
Whether you are donating a dollar or a can of soup or an hour of your time, you are letting your light shine and improving the world!
Thank you,
Juniata County!
Patricia E. Brown
Summer Backpack
Program Coordinator
Juniata County Food Pantry