Looking for a meaningful way to give to others? One Lawton couple put Eleanor's Pantry, the new Paw Paw-Lawton area food pantry, on their holiday list in a big way. Rather than purchasing gifts for 10 adult family and friends, they made a $50 contribution to Eleanor's Pantry in each person's name, according to Don Prediger, volunteer coordinator of the local food pantry. Such a gift is the perfect way to benefit the community, while honoring those for whom an additional gift under the Christmas tree would have less meaning, he noted. Prediger said this same couple, who choose not to reveal their names, also donate bags of food each month to Eleanor's Pantry, which is open to Lawton and Paw Paw residents and operated jointly by area churches.
Eleanor's Pantry is also benefitting from a special collection being done currently at the Dollar Tree on W. Main, Kalamazoo, where customers may donate an extra dollar to give a food item to the pantry. This is the second such promotion held at the store.
These unique ways of supporting Eleanor's Pantry helped provide an extra boost during the busy holiday season, but they are examples of ways of donating that could be applied year-round. “Hunger is not seasonal,” Prediger said. “We often feel the holiday spirit to give during December, but our area families needing assistance are with us year-round.”
Donors and users of Eleanor's Pantry should note that the pantry board has voted to close the pantry during school “snow days.” If area school districts are closed dur to inclement weather, the pantry will not be open.