Food pantry volunteers praised at St. Peter’s in Medina

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Jan McCloy, left, and Peggy Pearce admire the cake celebrating the volunteers to run St. Peter’s Food Pantry. They are among the more than 20 who keep the food pantry running. (Right) The Rev. Akhtor Sokheil shares a story about feeding the hungry and a prayer to start the appreciation luncheon for volunteers at the food pantry.

MEDINA – More than 20 volunteers who donate their time to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Food Pantry were recognized at a luncheon today at the church.

“Without volunteers we couldn’t do what we do,” said Jim Hancock, who last year was recognized for his involvement all 40 years of the Food Pantry’s existence.

The Food Pantry serves about 30 families a month. Before Tuesday’s luncheon, 10 families came for food, said Robin Dubai, who has been involved with the Food Pantry for more than 30 years, most of them as organizer.

The Rev. Akhtor Sokeil shared a story about helping the hungry and said ministries like the food pantry are gospel.

“They are sharing God’s love,” he said.

Food Pantry staff acknowledged support from St. Peter’s Church, food donations from the the local library and Scouts.

The pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday.

Grimm said they were blessed with volunteers, as she read their names – Janet Husung, Robin Dubai, Marian Fry, Michelle Capstick, Bill Bixler, Denny Dubai, Barb Filipiak, Gloria Gruber, Bob Hoffman, Edee Hoffmeister, Kathy Iorio, Jan McCloy, Ann McElwee, Peggy Pearce, Diane Mazur, Mary Keppler, Cindy Hewitt, Marilyn Hiwiller and three new volunteers, Sharee Canham, Lois Donovan and Marie Socha.

(Left) Robin Dubai, who has headed St. Peter’s Food Pantry for most of its 41 years, applauds volunteers and shares their accomplishments in providing meals. (Right) Jim Hancock, treasurer for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Food Pantry, welcomes volunteers to a luncheon today.

Dubai also praised The Grove Methodist Church for all their donations, and the cooperation with Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God’s Food Pantry, headed by Donna Poore.  She said they help each other out if one of the other’s supplies get low.

Dubai thanked Kathy Iorio and Diane Mazur for their efforts in putting double bags together and filling bags with food items. Each bag holds nine to 12 pounds of food and each family gets two bags.

She also thanked Sally Grimm for scheduling volunteers and keeping monthly reports, and her husband Denny Dubai for restocking. She paid a special tribute to Bob Hoffman, who meets the trucks delivering food every week and unloads the boxes. Last year, he lifted 4,022 pounds, Dubai said.

“We can’t do this job without him,” she said.

Ray Lavesque was mentioned for going out of his way to deliver food to a client who moved to Middleport.

Dubai concluded by dedicating the luncheon to Grimm’s mother, who was a volunteer in the Food Pantry’s early years and kept in touch with how it was during throughout her life. She passed away recently at 100.

Lunch was provided by St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and cookies were donated by Mary Lou Tuohey from Case-Nic Cookies.