November 21, 2012 Vol. 91 No. 47
TEAM calls on local organizations to collect food, funds for holidays.
TEAM Needs Donations By DeAnna Massie
IN this Issue
If enthusiasm were enough to keep an organization going, The Emergency Assistance Ministry (TEAM) Food Pantry would be in excellent shape. Executive Director Betty Seeney has more energy than a classroom full of second graders, but it’s not enough to fill the shelves and refrigerators at the pantry. Last year, 120 TEAM volunteers served an average of 37 families per day, but the numbers continue to grow. “We get new people every day,” says Seeney. “It’s just amazing the number of people we serve.” Since October of 1986, TEAM Food Pantry has been providing supplemental food and basic household items to needy families in our communities. The organization is 100% volunteer-run. Families and individuals can visit once a month to collect whatever items they need. “We don’t turn anyone away,” says Seeney. What You Can Do As the holiday season approaches, TEAM is preparing to provide families with the small extras that make this time of the year special. In addition to traditional side dishes, they hope to be able to offer chicken or turkey donated or purchased with donated funds. Small gifts and holiday items are also on the list. TEAM gets much of its supply from the 31 local churches its represents, but more will be needed. In the past, local businesses have hosted food drives to collect items for the pantry. Last year, the mayor sponsored dress-down days to raise money and several local agencies served as drop sites. This year, Seeney is calling on the local community again. “If anyone wants to host a food drive or serve as a collection site, that would be wonderful. We have so many families to provide for.” Individuals and families with the ability to donate are also appreciated. No donation is too small. Donating food isn’t the only way to help. Funds are needed, too. There is always a need for funds to maintain the basic operAround Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Learn & Play/Movie . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Photo by Ray Rockwell
ations of the food pantry and to purchase the food and household items that aren’t donated. For example, in 2010, TEAM spent $122,900 to supplement the food donations. TEAM has only one van, donated in 2000 by a parishioner from one of their member churches, but Seeney says anyone willing to donate another van or truck would be forever appreciated. Also, TEAM also provides utility and rent assistance, emergency assistance for prescriptions, and referrals to emergency lodging. TEAM has support from a number of organizations, including the St. Louis Foodbank, Girl Scouts, postal workers, fire stations and schools. Local grocery stores donate daily, and the Girl Scouts share the benefits of their April Showers program. Seeney says TEAM would not survive without the efforts of two organizations— the Boy Scouts and the Florissant Rotary. “I cannot tell you how helpful they are. We can always depend on them for food and money donations.” Florissant Rotary even paid for and donated the current facility on St. Catherine in Florissant. Year-Round Help Is Needed Seeney appreciates that people are more aware of the needs of local families, and more willing to donate, during the holiday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Christmas Traditions . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Sprots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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season. However, she encourages the community to remember that the people we reach out to during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter also need help during the rest of the year. Supplies tend to dry up right in January, and the TEAM Food Pantry struggles to feed needy families. “We
are thinking about it right now, but don’t quit giving! These families are hungry all year, not just at Christmas.” If you would like to donate food, funds or time, or would like any information or support to sponsor a collection site or day, contact a TEAM officer at 314.831.0879.
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