Remember when the year 2020 seemed a long way off? Well it’s here and are celebrating the new year and of course, 2019.
In 2019 we saw another year of giving by the citizens of Fulda and surrounding areas. Our little Food Shelf has seen a lot of support with giving, both monetary and food products.
I am going to thank the givers, and hope I don’t miss anyone. First of all our students from grades K-12. They again gave 1400 lbs. of nonperishable food products. Also giving were: Lake O’Lakes, Prairie Pride, the Masonic Lodge, the winter festival, Fulda Bazaar, St. Paul’s Ladies Aide, First Presbyterian Women’s Group, Catholic Daughters of Currie, Presbyterian Youth Group, Immanuel Lutheran Church and Youth, Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary, Vi Larson Estate, Thanksgiving and Lenten Services. A few individuals include; Lavonne Baerenwald (quilts), produce from Clarice Gehl, Mari Saxhaug, Roxie Hakeneis, Mrs. Gehl, Jim and Rona Brown. Misc. items from
Christine Nelson, Babe Bergman, Lisa Opdahl, Jerry and Deann Ossefoort. And there is probably more but memory is fading.
We also need to thank our volunteers. Some help with unloading the SHH truck and others help when they can. Dean and Jan VanOort, Duane and Marlys Evers, Steve and Kathy Salentiny, Loren and Ruth Carlson, Darrel and Karen Ommen, Lydia Thompson, Dean McNeal, Kendra Michelau, Doug Daniels, Mike Vortherms, Mark Voss. Then our regular volunteers that seem to be there whenever we are open: Donna Chapman, Tara and Shelby, Alvin Thompson, Linda Clauson, Randy Kremer, Jan Holtrop, Gwen Hartlep, Diane Kirchner. Our food shelf board consists of Marge, LeAnn, Darcy, Diane, Linda, Donna and Alvin.
Special thanks to everyone who helps in anyway.
PS, If I forgot you, I am terribly sorry. Like I said my mind is fading.
That was all happy thoughts about our many volunteers.
Now I have one not so happy thought. The food shelf board decided to give little extra to our deserving clients for Christmas. To help support Fulda, it was decided to give Fulda Bucks. Of course, we assumed they would be used for extra food products but didn’t stipulate this to our clients. Figured if people came to the food shelf for food they would certainly use the extra for food, things we can’t provide. I recently heard that some of the Fulda Bucks were actually used for cigarettes and probably other items. I was so disappointed as were we all. Anyway, that wasn’t the purpose of the Fulda Bucks, and am deeply sorry it was misused.
Now a few statistics that really are interesting and not too boring. In 2019 our duplicated counts were:
Families – 298, Individuals – 1215. We gave out 14,966 pounds of food, and had 2867 pounds donated.
Comparing to previous years: From 2017-2019 we are up 27 families, 151 individuals, 3451 pounds given out and down 100 pounds donated.
All in all, I now know why we are so busy. If you ever have any questions regarding the food shelf or volunteering or donating, please call me or any board member. So please have a wonderful New Year and many thanks for the loving gifts we have received from you all.
