[/caption]Veronica Sturman - (Editor's Note: In another article of note, young journalist Veronica Sturman puts not just her words to work but her deeds as well, in the classiest way a writer can be, revealing once again this child's amazing talent as well as her tender heart. )
Attention: Volunteers needed, Warning: Heavy boxes
Five hundred
families receive hunger relief in Robeline. The Robeline Food Pantry was
founded by Triune Ministries in the year 2000. They operate out of an
old school building, which at first glance appears uninhabitable. When I
arrived to help pack food boxes, I wondered if I was at the right
place. Many of the abandoned buildings had broken out windows. I noticed
an open door in the best looking building and went in and found the
other volunteers. Although it was cold, I soon warmed up lifting and
carrying bags and boxes.
I helped about a dozen volunteers pack 242
boxes full of food this month. Last month they distributed 333 boxes of
food. The food pantry is open for those in need every second Saturday of
the month, but if someone has a special need they can call for food at
any time. About 30% of the food boxed in Robeline is distributed in
Coushatta. Five hundred families are on the food pantry list, but they
don’t all show up every month.
According to Betty Milner, age 78,
more families are coming to Robeline each month since the Natchitoches
Loving Care Mission closed. Some families have trouble with
transportation to the pantry, and they may have a friend pick up their
box of food. Mr. Milner delivers some boxes to families without cars.
The
food pantry in Robeline would not be able to help any of these families
without volunteers. It is 100% volunteer ran. More volunteers and
donations are needed to feed more families or to offer current families
more food. You can help by donating food or money or by asking your
church to do a canned food drive. If you would like to volunteer at the
food pantry, call Betty Milner at 318-472-8352. It only takes a couple
of hours to pack boxes, and it is lots of fun.
Ms. Milner said, “We
just love helping people.” I enjoyed helping her help people. If you
like helping people too, call Ms. Milner or find a food pantry in your
community.
