ThisWeek CW 01/15/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/01/12/food-pantry-sets-sights-on-building-warehouse.html
Last year was another one for the record books for the Community Food Pantry in Canal Winchester and 2015 looks to be even bigger, with plans to celebrate six decades of its existence and continued efforts to acquire its own permanent facility.
Canal Winchester Human Services Administrator Penny Miller said all of the agency’s programs saw increases during 2014, including the year-end Adopt-a-Family program, which saw an 8-percent increase.
Adding to this number were some of the workers who lost their income after the Canal Wigwam restaurant fire in December, she said.
“The Community Food Pantry distributed 113,389 meals through the Choice Pantry and the Feeding Our Future projects,” Miller said.
“It was a challenging year for the organization on every front, and we anticipate 2015 will be bigger as the requests for assistance through all of our programs continues to increase. We have new families asking for assistance every week.”
In trying to meet the community’s needs, Miller said the agency will move forward with plans to build a permanent warehouse facility.
Canal Winchester Human Services currently rents space at 360 W. Waterloo for the pantry.
“Over the last year, we have been working toward the opportunity of having our first ever permanent facility, and as we begin a new year, that effort will become a priority,” Miller said.
“We already have more than half of the monies committed that we will need. In 2015, we will celebrate our 60th anniversary and we intend to highlight that celebration with a space of our own.”
The fourth annual Souper Bowl Open House will kick off this year’s efforts, where the public will be able to see the agency’s plans while helping to raise money for the food pantry.
The event will be held Sunday, Feb. 1, at the pantry, with donations accepted in exchange for a soup luncheon.
“We hope everyone comes out to learn about our plans and be a part of something that is going to be very special as we set our vision for the next 60 years of service to the Canal Winchester community,” Miller said. “Canal Winchester Human Services provides continued support for those in need through the year and we are confident that 2015 is going to move us is an exciting direction.”
Information about Canal Winchester Human Services and the Community Food Pantry is available online at cwhuman services.org or by emailing Miller at penny.cwhs@gmail.com.