he
sign outside the Lord’s Pantry in Downingtown reads, "No one
should suffer from hunger." Since it's founding over 40 years ago,
this non-profit organization, staffed entirely by volunteers, including
some of our Meeting’s members and attenders, has helped needy families
through some rough times. Some volunteers donate several hours each each
week while others pitch in for special projects, such as helping with
the annual Postal Workers Food Drive, held in 2009 on the afternoon of
Saturday, May 9. The postal workers collected canned goods from people
on their delivery routes and then dropped the collected items off at
area food pantries for distribution to clients. Volunteers gathered at
the Pantry’s headquarters at 141 E. Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown
and helped to empty mail trucks overflowing with much-appreciated
foodstuffs. Volunteers then sorted, packed, and weighed the food on
tables under a large tent outside of the Pantry.
The Lord's Pantry of Downingtown (LPD) began in the mid 1960's as a
small service project to help some needy persons within the congregation
of St. James Episcopal Church. The project continued to grow until it
included needy residents of Downingtown. By the 1980's, the Downingtown
Ministerium adopted the Pantry, giving it support and direction.
During its early years, the Pantry stored and distributed donated
food and supplies in St. James Church. But by June 2001, the demand for
its services grew so much that it eventually became a non-profit
organization by July of that year.
In January 2002, the Pantry relocated to a new location in
Downingtown, a larger site that was more convenient to its clients. At
the same time, it added Exton and Lionville to its service area. After
several years, the Pantry once again found itself cramped for space. So
it applied for a $250,000 grant from the Chester County Department of
Community Development and by October was able to purchase the building
in which it had formerly rented space.
Presently, the Lord’s Pantry serves 672 registered families, each
given a four- to five-day supply of food which includes non-perishables,
meat selections, fresh vegetables and dairy products when available. All
qualify for the food they receive based on their income of 150 percent
of the poverty level set by the federal government. We, at Downingtown
Meeting, have long supported the efforts by this important community
organization and will continue to do so.