EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY
The Atwood Food Pantry provides two to three days' worth of emergency food.
The pantry is open on Thursdays from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. or by appointment. Anyone is eligible
for food once a week. On average the the pantry serves 46 families a week.
In August 2003, the Atwood Food Pantry started offering US Govt. Commodities food items to pantry customers in addition to regular pantry bags. Based on family size, customers may choose from a list of eight items to supplement the standard pantry shopping list. Commodities vary weekly and may include: juice, pudding, meats, pasta, dried or canned fruits and cheese. Elegibility for commodities is based on income. Identification with a current address is needed on the first visit for all the people living in the household.
Food given out at the pantry is generously donated from the community, Community Action Coalition and purchased from the Second Harvest Foodbank. Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off between 8:30 am and 5 pm. Call 241-1574 about donating food to the pantry.
Goodman Atwood Community Center Food Pantry is an equal-opportunity provider.

WHAT TO DONATE TO THE FOOD PANTRY
Following are items that the Atwood Food Pantry needs: peanut butter, canned soup, jelly, tuna, Spam, beef stew, canned vegetables, pancake batter, syrup, canned fruit, shampoo, hand soap, laundry soap, pasta, oatmeal, diapers, potatoes, rice, beans, and juices.
When making a non-perishable food donation, bring it to the Atwood Community Center during business hours (8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday) or by appointment. Call Marlene Storms at 241-1574 ext. 25 for more information.

COMMUNITY MEALS
Atwood Community Center offers free meals every Friday;
everyone is welcome, although a large number of guests are older adults. The meals nourish the body and the soul by providing fellowship among the attendees. Friday meals are served promptly at noon in the Main Room of the Atwood Community Center at 2425 Atwood Avenue. The meals are free and no reservations are necessary.

ALL CHILDREN EAT
Every child registered in a youth program at Atwood Community Center receives a well-balanced and nutritious meal as part of their program. All-day programs, such as preschool and summer day camps, include breakfast, morning and afternoon snack and lunch.

THANKSGIVING BASKETS
This year, Atwood Community Center was committed to provide the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to 1,000 families. The annual Thanksgiving Basket Program happened with the help of Community Action Coalition and United Way 211. The baskets were distributed on the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week at Saint Bernard’ Catholic Church's gym, across the street from the Center. The Center thanks all the donors, volunteers, and partner organizations who made the 2006 Thanksgiving Baskets program a success!

FULL-PANTRY BLOCK CAPTAINS
Atwood Community Center's food programs are supported by donations from neighbors through the Atwood Full- Pantry Block Captain Program. Each month, a volunteer block captain takes reminder notices around to the neighbors on his or her block, asking them make a contribution of food to the Atwood Food Pantry. The block captain makes arrangements to pick up the food and brings it to the pantry. Each month, neighbors contribute more than 100 bags of food, making it possible for hot meals and food pantry help to be given to those in need. The Center supports the block captain program by providing reminder flyers, volunteer coordination, and education about hunger issues in the community. This volunteer job takes about two hours a month of time and is great for the whole family. Contact Marlene Storms at 241-1574 ext. 25.

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