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Fuquay-Varina GivesVolunteers are a huge part of the Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry’s operation.Farmers have been especially generous over the years. Mary Frances believes wholeheartedly that you “do the best with what you’ve got,” and sometimes getting fresh produce is a struggle, especially in the colder months. Gleaning fields was one way of getting sweet potatoes and a few other types of produce, but with the resurgence of gardening over the last couple of years, local gardeners have become a great source of free produce. Piney Grove Baptist planted and harvested a community garden and donated everything they grew to the Pantry this year, and the average number of local gardeners donating their leftover produce this summer climbed to 10- 12 different sources. Local chicken farmers have been donating their extra eggs, as well, which has been a nice treat. Volunteers are a huge part of the Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry’s operation. The program would not be sustainable without their help, and they are always looking for more help, but Cynthia Ellison is quick to mention that not everyone who comes in looking to help makes a good volunteer. There is an application process and a chairman of volunteers who trains anyone interested in helping with their mission. “We have a wide range of ages, ,” she explains, “but there is a lot of physical work involved and confidentiality is a big concern here. We have to make sure that our volunteers can handle the range of issues we deal with and know how to be discreet about what they see and hear.” Volunteers can start as young as 14, with a parent, but most are currently active adults over age 55. Because the Pantry is a faith-based mission, volunteers offer prayer for anyone who requests it when they come for their distribution. There is also a prayer list ministry where clients can request prayer for themselves or others in their family. Volunteers also offer as much education as they can for their clients. Odd food items sometimes require some suggestions for use, and the staff often prints up sheets of info regarding ways to prepare the different types of food. Staff also tries to keep track of who is on what kinds of medication so they can counsel about foods and drug interactions when necessary.The biggest challenge for the Pantry, especially heading into the holidays, is making sure they have enough food for their clients and managing their resources with food costs skyrocketing and the size of packaging shrinking. “One can of tuna used to feed four people,” Goddard says, “but it takes two cans to accomplish that with the smaller can sizes.” Food costs are up, and Pantry staff are constantly looking for great deals on bulk food and relying on the kindness of local residents to help fill their shelves. “Our other challenge is getting food to those who need it and can’t get here on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” Goddard shared. “Volunteers help with that mission, but there is always more to do.”For more information on the Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry and ways you can help them during the holidays and into 2015, call Mary Frances Goddard or Cynthia Ellison at (919) 552-7720.www.suburbanlivingmag.comSuburban Living Fuquay-Varina | Page 39