When it comes to feeding needy people, we appreciate efforts to improve on a proficient approach.
Non-profit organizations and churches have created food pantries to distribute items to needy recipients in an efficient and effective manner.
Most of the items are non-perishable (canned or boxed) food provided to pantries by the Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri.
Although these foods may prevent hunger, they may not satisfy optimum nutritional needs. Darren Chapman, a University of Missouri graduate in an interdisciplinary food security program, said pantries tend to receive and distribute food with higher shelf lives, which may be higher in fat, sodium, sugar and cholesterol content.
A better approach is the addition of fresh vegetables and fruits. Enter the NEEED project, a local organic garden created to distribute fresh produce to local pantries. Led by local resident Jack Ryan with the help of volunteers, the acronym stands for Nutrition, Environment, Education and Economic Development.
The project, however, faces two obstacles; not enough active volunteers are available to distribute garden produce, and some pantries do not have sufficient refrigerated space to store perishable produce.
The Pantry at Table of Grace Church has developed an approach to overcome these obstacles and to vary its approach to feeding needy people.
Table of Grace volunteers pick produce from the NEEED garden, then combine it with the recipe and other ingredients needed to prepare a nutritious meal.
Stephanie Scott-Huffman, Pantry founder, said the process includes education on affordability, health, fullness and food preparation designed to lift low-income families.
Scott-Huffman said the process empowers nearly 300 clients each month, an important reversal for pantry clients who Chapman said often lose their cooking skills.
The approach reflects the proverb that distinguishes between giving a man a fish and teaching a man to fish.
The Pantry at Table of Grace Church not only provides a needed resource, it provides instruction in a useful and empowering skill.