WEBA Food Pantry turns no one away

(Editor's note: This is the sixth in a series of stories highlighting some of the area agencies assisted by the United Way of Jefferson County. Each of the agencies featured on Mondays receive aid from the United Way's 2010 Live United campaign.)

AMSTERDAM - The WEBA (Wolf Run, East Springfield, Bergholz and Amsterdam) Food Pantry follows a rather simple philosophy when it comes to regular operations.

Pauline Wagner, director for the past three years, says the philosophy is this: the pantry will not turn anyone away.

On average, she says, the pantry serves more than 160 families per month, amounting to more than 500 people. During the past six months, the pantry has added at least 10 new families a month to its help list.

"We have seen a steady increase in numbers during the past few months and we have made it our mission to not turn anyone away," Wagner said. "We feel if people come here to get food, they obviously need it."

The Mid-Ohio Food Bank is the main supplier of goods to the pantry.

"We pick up all our goods from the Urban Mission of Steubenville the first Tuesday of every month," Wagner explained. "The distribution day here differs every month since we receive fresh produce at different times."

The facility operates as a choice pantry, but some pre-made meals are available for those who cannot make it on distribution day.

"We make some pre-made meals ahead of time for the people we know are shut-in and need the food to survive," she said.

The pantry, which has been in operation since 1969, is associated with St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Amsterdam. The facility relies solely on funding from the United Way of Jefferson County.

"We honestly would not be able to survive without the support of the United Way," Wagner said.

"We have been a part of the organization for the three years I have been director and without United Way's continued help, we wouldn't be here today."

The pantry also accepts any kind of donation and holds various fundraisers throughout the year.

"We hold a 50/50 drawing, a spaghetti dinner, pancake breakfast, pork and kraut dinner and our annual yard sale in August," Wagner explained.

The pantry has 16 regular volunteers. Wagner can't say enough good things about the folks who serve the pantry.

"Without the wonderful help and tireless hours our volunteers put in, the pantry would not be where it is today," she said.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, the pantry served more than 190 families and are expecting more for Christmas.

"We are expecting to have about 200 families in here receiving goods for the Christmas holiday," Wagner said. "We are on a first-come, first-served basis, but we are hoping to be able to help the families have a good holiday meal."

Among the donors to the pantry are students of Edison High School who hold a food drive every year around Christmas.

"We look forward to the donations from the high school because they are always very, very giving," Wagner said. "This year, they donated enough food to feed many, many families."

(Looman can be contacted at jlooman@heraldstaronline.com)