The Italy Ministerial Alliance (a local group of churches and individuals representing different faiths) hosts the local food pantry once a month for Italy residents. In fact, it is always open the first Monday of the month from 5pm-8pm, located at First United Methodist church at 124 Harpold, come rain or shine, holiday or not. The downward spiral in these economic times has taken its toll on the food pantry and they could use your help.

The Italy Ministerial Alliance helps support several local activities. Baccalaureate service for the graduating seniors (including a new Bible), Christmas basket delivery, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Easter Sunrise service are among them. There are plans of reinstating the community Thanksgiving feast.

Members of the North Texas Food Bank, IMA receives a lower price on the food you would find in the grocery store. However, monthly shopping can reduce a bank account real quick, as you well know. Sometimes, NTFB does not have everything available. It depends on what food company is donating to them at the time. Sometimes there is vegetable oil or canned green beans for sale and sometimes there’s not. The shopping list is different every month. Therefore, shopping at a local grocery chain is necessary to keep up with the local demand and the prices are higher.

Every year, Italy ISD supports a canned food drive and donations return to the food pantry. That occurs around Thanksgiving. However, it is summer time when the pantry could use an extra boost.

If you are interested in supporting the local food pantry either by volunteering your time, monetarily or by food donations, please contact Central Baptist Church at 972-483-7474 or email Anne Sutherland at [email protected]. The pantry accepts non-perishable, in-date food. Items such as juice, canned vegetables, noodles, rice, jelly, canned meat, bbq sauce or ketchup are just a few ideas of what is given to the local needy. Please do not donate old, bent or dented can goods or torn packages. (A good rule of thumb is if you won’t eat it, no one else will either). If you need help delivering the food to the pantry, let someone know and a volunteer will pick it up.

Also, if anyone has a heavy metal or wooden bookcase that would hold canned goods and a window air conditioning unit, the pantry could use it. Thank you for your support.

The Italy Food Pantry is open the first Monday of every month from 5pm to 8pm and welcome everyone to participate. Please help spread the word to those who do not have a computer. There is a short form to fill out that enables the Ministerial Alliance to better serve the ones in need.