FISH FOOD PANTRY
The FISH (Friends in Service to Him) food pantry at First Presbyterian is part of a Knox County program that provides food to those in emergency situations. FISH is an all-volunteer organization that operates county-wide. Our church’s pantry operates on the first Tuesday each month from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Each month our pantry fills about 100 bags of food for 50 families . Church members volunteer to receive telephone requests, bag food, and make deliveries to people in need. Since each delivery is made by two church members, there is always a need for volunteers.
25 years ago, FISH of First Presbyterian Church opened its door to help feed the hungry in Knox County. The name FISH is taken from a Biblical-day symbol of the “fish” used as a sign of distress, plea for help from one’s neighbor. Someone receives an emergency three-day- supply of food because they are out of work, or only have a part-time job. They may not receive enough in food stamps, if any. The hungry families we have that come into our pantry are not more black than white, there are not more young than old. One lady lives alone and is 93! Some have homes or apartments. Some have no place at all. They receive food because they are hungry and they are our neighbor. Our volunteers give Friendly, Immediate, Sympathetic Help the first Tuesday of every month. In 2007, we received 755 calls. We served 2,108 people. 1,264 were adults and 844 children. 513 families picked up their food. 242 families had their food delivered by our volunteers. November 2007 was our busiest month on record. We served 94 families. They were glad the viaduct had reopened. The price of food has greatly increased over the last year. We do our best to shop for the lowest price in the grocery stores or purchase from a limited supply at Second Harvest. Last year we spent $7638.17 in food for the FISH program.
There are so many ways to help over the course of the year; by bringing designated Fish food items of the month to the early Chapel Worship or the Children’s Area, bringing canned items to the Christmas Eve service or bringing cookies to the 30 Somethin’ Christmas Party. You give honorariums and memorials. The youth help with the Souper Bowl and the Hunger Hike. Paper bags are always needed. You give of your time and resources. Please pray about becoming a volunteer in the FISH pantry. Without people like you, we would not be able to serve Christ through this ministry. Thank you!
If you would like more information about FISH or becoming a volunteer, please contact Pam Teague using the information below.
Contact: Pam Teague phone: 828-3091 email: dtea29@frontiernet.net
Website: Second Harvest Food Bank of East TN
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