WINNEMUCCA - Where did you get the last meal you ate? For those fortunate enough to enjoy sufficient financial resources, the answer probably involves a simple trip to a local grocery store or restaurant.
For others, health problems, layoffs, and other circumstances that impact finances make it difficult to meet this basic need. Those who require assistance getting enough food for their household may want to visit one of two local food pantries.
"Father Pepe's Food Pantry" is a ministry based in St. Paul's Catholic Church in Winnemucca.
"I have a team who is running this ministry," explained Parish Priest Father Pepe. "The head of this ministry is Coordinator Dora Dean. Marianne Echeverria and Soledad Gray are also members. They regularly feed about 10 families each month."
Father Pepe noted that anyone in need will find a wide variety of foods available.
"We have two freezers," he said. "People can get beef, chicken, and fruit. They can also get any kind of canned food."
Father Pepe said the reason this food pantry is called a "ministry" and not simply a "project" is because everyone who donates items or helps another person obtain food from it is doing the work commanded by God.
He noted that the Catholic Church's current head, Pope Francis, is strongly encouraging all people to help those in need. Father Pepe further noted that he sees members of his own parish heeding that call.
"All of the food and money to buy food comes from our parishioners," he said. "We have very generous parishioners here. This is what social justice is, and this is the Gospel. Jesus says 'help others, embrace others, feed my sheep.'"
Although Father Pepe's Food Pantry is based in a Catholic Church, a person does not need to be Catholic to receive help or to make a donation to help others.
Father Pepe noted that Pastor Gayle of the local United Methodist Church regularly donates goods to the Catholic ministry.
"The most important thing is we are following the same God," Father Pepe said. "It doesn't matter what religion you are professing."
"Father Pepe's Food Pantry" is currently in need of material donations. Anyone of any religious or spiritual background may stop by the church office to donate funds or to make arrangements to donate food items. Those who attend Mass at St. Paul's Catholic Church may also drop a check into the collection plate with "Father Pepe's Food Pantry" written on the memo line.
The Winnemucca Ministerial Association Food Bank is another local ministry that offers food items to those in need.
Food Bank Director Zerella Buttars noted that while they are a little short on meat, the Winnemucca Ministerial Association Food Bank is well-stocked.
"The community has been very good to us," she said.
Buttars noted that while they may have a plentiful supply of food on their shelves, the organization is in need of volunteers for the food bank, the soup kitchen and the Bridge Street Thrift Store.
The Bridge Street Thrift Store is located in the same building as the food bank. Shoppers may find clothing for men, women, and children, toys, shoes, dishes, silverware, VHS tapes and DVDs and other assorted items. Proceeds from the thrift store support the Winnemucca Ministerial Association's efforts to feed those in need in the community.
"Those who would like to volunteer in the food bank may fill orders, assist customers, and
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organize food items," Buttars explained. "We could especially use some more volunteers in the Bridge Street Thrift Store," she added.
Buttars described the work in the thrift store as the type of work one would find in any small store. Volunteers may spend time sorting donated items, tagging clothing according to size, arranging items on shelves and clothing racks, and doing some light cleaning. Thrift store volunteers may also act as sales clerks, helping shoppers search for specific items, taking customers' payments and making change.
As with any volunteer position, it is important to adhere to the schedule and duties a person agrees to perform. But this does not mean a volunteer will be required to take on a full time or even a part time unpaid job. Buttars recommended work in the food bank or thrift store as a service project for groups or individuals looking to donate a single day of service to their community.
"If organizations need a day of service, they can come in and work for one day," Buttars said. "A couple of hours really helps."
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