News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Beth Gianforcaro
November 22, 2006 614-352-6472
Reynoldsburg’s Thanksgiving “Food Raiser” to Benefit
Helping Hands Pantry Considered “Big Success”
REYNOLDSBURG, OH – In the brisk fall morning of Ohio State vs. Michigan game day, car after car pulled through the Main Street Wendy’s restaurant to deliver grocery bags, boxes, donations and even a flat bed 4x4 truck filled to the brim of food and health care items to benefit the Helping Hands food pantry of Reynoldsburg. One by one, people ranging in ages from toddlers to seniors, many dressed in OSU gear and a few even wearing blue and gold but all with big hearts, filled an estimated six truck beds of goods to help restock the recently robbed pantry in time for Thanksgiving.
“We’re on our way home from the grocery to watch the game,” said one mother with two children in her van, “but first we wanted to bring a bag of cans to help the pantry -- it’s just the right thing to do,” she added.
The Helping Hands pantry, 7356 E. Main St., serving only those who live in the Reynoldsburg school district, even benefited from the help of a business in the neighboring city of Whitehall. Patrons of the Silent Woman bar, located on 4263 Main Street, Whitehall, as part of their on-going “Christmas Everywhere” charity designated the Helping Hands as one they would help this year, after learning the pantry had been robbed in September. Bar owner, Jim Michaels whose wife, Sharon, works for the City of Reynoldsburg, delivered a 4x4 truck bed filled with food collected from Silent Woman patrons.
That neighborly spirit was bountiful Saturday morning. In addition to delivering food and health care items more than $500 was given in monetary donations.
“I’m so proud of the people of Reynoldsburg, said City Councilman Ron Stake, who coordinated the event with Wendy’s franchise managed by Dave Menches and owned by SGR Restaurants LLC. “Once again, the people of Reynoldsburg have displayed their generous spirit and big hearts to help our community.” Eagerly, Helping Hands manager, Jackie Ford replied “Thank God for the people of Reynoldsburg. Thank you so much!”
On hand were more than 20 volunteers to accept donations from cars, hand out candy canes and a free Junior Frost coupons to those making a donation, sort the donations, pack boxes for delivery to the pantry and then unload and stock the shelves of the pantry after the collection.
“Wendy’s was the perfect host of the event,” said Stake. Wendy’s provided the venue for the collection, had coffee for volunteers during the collection and served a complimentary meal to the volunteers after the event. “We’re glad to be a part of this important event” said Menches.
Ford said those needing assistance from Helping Hands has doubled in the past year. Last year, the pantry was serving an served an estimated 35 families each month. This year the pantry is helping more than 70 families monthly. Ford said the pantry, which can only accept food and health care items, depends on the assistance from local people and organizations. “Most of our clients work but they are on food stamps,” said Ford. “They need assistance with some food and the taxable items food stamps cannot cover like toilet paper, soaps and toothpaste. Ford noted that several local and church organizations help with regular donations of canned good and laundry detergent. “As the community needs increase, we depend on the steady helping hands in our community.” Donations are accepted when the pantry is open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10-11:30 .m. or with an appointment by calling 614-868-9394.
In addition to many local church, school, charity and business donations, large scale events also help keep the pantry shelves stocked. The next event will be Reynoldsburg’s “Christmas on the Towne,” December 2 when local businesses celebrate the holidays with special events. Many will have receptacles near their doors collecting for Helping Hands.
Reynoldsburg Helping Hands are tax deductible and it is classified as a 501-C-2 organization by the Internal Revenue Service.
Editor’s Notes:
Additional Resources:
Helping Hands Chairperson: 614-868-9394
Photos Available:
003_3A: Helping Hands Thanksgiving Food Raiser Volunteers – group photo inside Wendy’s
009_15A: Reynoldsburg Councilmen Mel Clemens (left) and Food Raiser Sponsor Ron Stake with Helping Hands Managers, Jackie Ford.
013_13A: Jackie Ford inside the Reynoldsburg Helping Hands food pantry receiving the Thanksgiving Food Raiser bounty donated by area residents.
016_16A: Pausing after the final delivery of Saturday’s Thanksgiving Food Raiser donations, left to right, event coordinator Ron Stake, Jackie Ford, Helping Hands, Volunteers Harrison Xu of St. Pius School, Brock Porter, Greta Stake; Helping Hands volunteers: Jean Kiser, Mary Louise Metzger and Davis Travis.
005-05A: Thanksgiving Food Raiser Volunteers, Sharon Michael, City of Reynoldsburg, Reynoldsburg High School freshman and Navy Sea Cadet Michael Rodoski, Collin Bender, St. Pius 7th Grade receive, pack and sort donations for the Helping Hands Food Pantry.
013_13A Silent Woman: Delivering a 4x4 truck bed filled with donations collected from patrons of Whitehall’s Silent Woman bar, Sharon Michael and bar owner Jim Michael.
019_19A: Whitehall’s Silent Woman bar owner Jim Michael delivers a 4x4 truck bed filled with pantry donations to Jackie Ford, Reynoldsburg’s Helping Hands from the Silent Woman’s “Christmas Everywhere” charity. Also pictured Food Raiser volunteers, Brock Porter, left, and Harrision Xu.
020_4A: Councilman and Food Raiser coordinator Ron Stake, accepts a donation for the Helping Hands Food Pantry from a young Reynoldsburg resident.
024_24A: Hannah Ashton sixth grader, Jalen Perkins, encourages motorists along Main Street to donate to the Thanksgiving Food Raiser to benefit the Helping Hands.
Photos by: Beth Gianforcaro