Barker church has run food pantry for community the past 35 years

Tom Gardner returns to a church of his childhood as pastor

Provided photos: Volunteers at the food pantry at Faith United Methodist Church in Barker are, at left, Joan Morgan, Peggy Lane, Richard McCanty and Kista Atwater. At right, in front, are Charlene McCanty, Vernetta Kenyon and Dexter McCanty. The church, pastored by the Rev. Tom Gardner of Knowlesville, recently celebrated 35 years of serving the community.

BARKER – Serving Faith United Methodist Church is a trip back to his childhood, for the Rev. Tom Gardner of Knowlesville.

“While I never lived in Barker, we visited our grandparents there so often growing up that it always felt like a second home,” the Rev. Gardner said. “When I first came to the church, I sat in the section of the church where I thought my grandparents sat. This was confirmed by a woman who sat behind me, who it turned out was a second cousin I had never met. I since have met her siblings and have been blessed by their presence in my life.”

Before his call to the Barker Church, the Rev. Gardner had retired from the Holley Presbyterian Church in the spring of 2021. He then agreed to serve the Barre Center Presbyterian Church as pulpit supply and moderator of the session. He had begun attending Faith United Methodist Church when,; in the summer of 2024, he was called to be pastor of the church.

“I have found everything about the church and community life to be the way you might hope for,” he said. “The congregation is generous and mindful of the needs of others, partnering with several groups, including the Barker School District. The church was conceived and built as a community center, and I believe we are living true to the original vision. The Food and Clothing pantry is an example.”

The Rev. Tom Gardner, pastor of Faith United Methodist Church in Barker, center, stands with Dexter and Charlene McCanty and Vernetta and Gordon Kenyon. The McCantys and Kenyons share duties overseeing the Barker Food Pantry, which recently celebrated 35 years.

The Food Pantry began in the early 1990s after a suggestion by Jean Stisser, when Faith United Methodist Church was looking for a mission to support.

The FUMC Food Pantry celebrated 35 years on Oct. 18. During worship the Rev. Gardner praised the food pantry and its volunteers and likened it to the Bible story in which 5,000 people had no food and Jesus gave them two loaves of bread and two fishes, and fed the entire crowd.

A fellowship hour followed in which volunteers enjoyed camaraderie and fellowship as they shared their experiences and importance of this mission.

At its start, Steve Haight chaired responsibilities of running the food pantry for at least half a dozen years. Gordon and Vernetta Kenyon had recently retired when Haight suggested they should take over the food pantry. They have run it ever since with the help of a handful of volunteers and a lot of community support.

The food pantry supplies food to families in the Barker School District who meet income guidelines. Food comes from FeedMore WNY, paid for by grants, food drives by the Boy Scouts, Barker Lions Club, Barker and Appleton post offices, various clubs at Barker Central School and churches throughout the community.

Vernetta said the Barker Central School’s food drive resulted in two giant pickup trucks full of food. She also praised the community, who she says are very generous with their donations of food and money.

Grants allow them to buy meat and poultry.

The pantry serves 120 families a month, Vernetta said. A family is allowed nine free meals a month. At Thanksgiving and Christmas time, they are able to pack holiday meals for the families, a turkey for Thanksgiving and a ham for Christmas.

Once a month the pantry is able to give out dog and cat food, donated by St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Burt.

“We couldn’t do it without community support and our volunteers,” Vernetta said. “They come in no matter what the weather conditions.”

Regular volunteers are Dexter and Charlene McCanty who share directing duties with Vernetta and Gordon, Andy and Krista Atwater, Cheryl Blacklock, Judy Brunishcheider, Roy Anderson and Deal Kempf.

The FUNC Food pantry is open from 8:30 to 11:15 on Mondays and from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Faith United Methodist Church is located at 1449 Quaker Rd., and the Rev. Gardner invites everyone to join them in worship at 10 a.m. Sundays.