No one wants to project an indefinite need for a food pantry. Yet, given the present circumstances in our area, it is safe to predict that the CEC Food Pantry will be a necessary ministry for the time being.

If you attended the recent Annual Meeting or read the church’s Annual Report, you are aware of what the future (2024) looks like in terms of planned days of receipt of food from Second Harvest and distribution of the food on the following day. The schedule has been set up.

Food is also coming in from other sources and as of now, donations come in weekly from Earthlight Natural Foods on Ann Street in Stroudsburg. Please give them a shout out and support their store.

Despite many saying how difficult these big box stores are to get to donate food, Price Chopper, in Middle Smithfield Township on Route 209 has stepped up and supports two food pantries with donations three times per week to each. This was made possible by their assistant manager who responded to the increasing need of our members.

As the future continues beneath our feet and we walk into the other ways we can provide fresh foods, in February, we’ll host a talk and demo for planting seeds in anticipation of spring. We intend to grow herbs for the Food Pantry to accompany recipes we’ll also share.

This mini-greenhouse will be in Fr Bruce’s office. We may be short on growing space but we are long on ingenuity and generosity. So, keep your eyes open for an announcement for our first seed planting.

Currently, sleeping under the snow in the Middle Smithfield Community Garden is a bed of garlic intended too for the Food Pantry.

Take this as an invitation to all you gardeners in our parish. Please add to our bounty. Grow for us too. Or if you know farmers in the area who may want to donate, talk to Debby Campbell about how Second Harvest partners with local, PA farmers to grow for us.

I’m thinking that the future is bright. We’re working with our mission and walking it forward. Please join us.

Deborah Emin