Bethel Rural Community Organization

MANNA FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND PANTRY

Did you know…

• Approximately 1 in 6 of our neighbors need emergency food assistance
• Of these, about 70% are living below the federal poverty line
• Nearly 42% have at least one adult in their household who works
• And, nearly 46% have one household member in poor health

There is help for these hungry in Bethel!!!! YOU can help us feed them!

Bethel Community Pantry

Bethel Rural Community Pantry (BRCP), a working committee of the Bethel Rural Community Organization, Inc. (BRCO), has feeding the hungry of Bethel as its sole purpose. The Pantry has partnered with Manna Food Bank, to provide the location, transportation, and food such as pasta, rice, dry beans, cereal, meat, bread, fruit juice, and canned items free of charge to those in Bethel who have emergency food needs. These food boxes are available for pick up from the Community Center of the Bethel Presbyterian Church (on Sonoma Road next to Bethel Middle School) the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30am as well as other times by special arrangement. Emergency pantry food is provided only to neighbors residing within the Bethel community who show a valid identification and proof of need based on income or due to the event of an emergency. For information call Steven or Barbara at 828-646-0303.

Volunteer Program

While BRCO members have gotten the pantry organized and are ready to give out food, we also need your help. Volunteers are needed for approximately one-to-four hours between the hours of 10am-Noon on the second Tuesday each month. Pantry volunteers can choose from pickup and unloading of food, organizing the pantry, putting together emergency boxes, and local deliveries for our homebound.

Sponsor of the Month

If you would like to be a “Sponsor of the Month” by hosting a food drive at your location, please contact us so we can provide flyers for your organization or business. Contact BRCP at 828.646.0303 to leave a phone message or email to eaffaldano@bellsouth.net and put in the email subject "Pantry."

Wish List Items

• Canned salmon, Canned Chicken, or Canned Ham
• Canned Peaches and Canned Fruit Cocktail
• Peanut Butter, Jelly, Pudding Mixes, and Jell-O™

What You Can Do

• Become a Sponsor of the Month by contacting us to select your month; either hold a food drive or volunteer to donate a large quantity of a specific item from the wish list.
• Tell everyone whom you think could use pantry services about the pantry.
• Arrange to deliver pantry boxed to needy homebound.
• Volunteer as a pantry worker—you can choose to work as little as 1 hour or as much as 16 hours per month.

If you have any questions or need directions please feel free to contact the Bethel Pantry Committee at 646-0303 or eaffaldano@bellsouth.net and put in the email subject "Pantry."

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY BENEVOLENCE

On an annual basis, BRCO contributes significantly to the expense of lighting the track and athletic fields at Bethel Middle School and to specific needs of children at both Bethel Schools. We have purchased equipment for the Greenhouse at Bethel Middle School. We have assisted flood victims and victims of house fires.

We stand ready to listen to any reasonable request for aide and assistance to residents in the Bethel Community. Please call Dave Curphey at 648-6068 if you know of a need that might fit our criteria.