• The Cupboard at Calvary, housed in Fellowship Hall of Calvary United Methodist Church on Locust Lane serves the Harrisburg suburban area with zip codes of 17109, 17111, and 17112

• Our mission is to serve those who are in need of food supplies with dignity and respect.

• The Cupboard offers selections from non-perishable items, meats, eggs and cheese, personal care products, bakery items, produce and paper products from which our clients can choose the specific items that fit their need.

• The non-perishable items offered consist of the following, depending on availability of acquiring from food drives and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

• Pasta and Pasta Sauce• Canned Vegetables, Fruit, Meats, and Soups• Peanut Butter and Jelly• Cereal• Paper products• Personal Care Products• Cleaning Supplies

• The meats, eggs, and cheese offered are normally acquired from the Food Bank and can include such items as boxed frozen hamburgers, ground venison, chicken nuggets and American cheese.

• Personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and deodorant are mostly acquired via food drives

• Bakery items consist of breads ,muffins, cookies, cakes and pies acquired from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and donated from local grocery retailers.

• Produce is acquired from the Food Bank and is free on a what is available basis. Also, during the summer growing season, local farmers will contribute part of their crops to The Cupboard at Calvary. Lastly, volunteers for the Cupboard will spend time at “pick your own” locations and donate the results for distribution to our clients.

• Paper products such as toilet paper, paper towels and tissues are mostly acquired through food drives.

• Our distributions to our clients are the second and fourth Thursdays from

4:30PM to 6:00PM

• Preparations for the distributions begin on Sunday with the ordering of staples form the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

• On the day of distribution volunteers start before 6:00 AM gathering donated items like day old bread and pastries from local establishments such as Costco and Karns

• Also, the day of distribution, a 9:00 AM pick up is made at the Food Bank to acquire free produce and if available free bakery items

• At 2:00 PM distribution day the ordered staples are picked up from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

• From early morning until distribution opening at 4:30, volunteers are unloading the deliveries above and setting up our “grocery store” for our clients.

• In addition to stocking the shelves with non perishable items, volunteers take items packaged in large volumes and repackage into smaller containers. For instance a donated full sheet cake will be cut into pieces and repackaged 2 or 4 pieces to a unit. Sugar in five pound packages will be repackaged into 5 one pound packages. A bushel of apples will be repackaged 4 to a bag.

• On their first visit to the Cupboard clients must complete qualifying paper work which includes family size and age information as well as income data.

• As clients arrive for distribution they are provided a number which indicates in what order they can shop the “grocery store”.

• Clients select what they desire from the shelves and tables. However, the amount they receive is based on the size of the family and the amount of food and other items The Cupboard at Calvary has available for distribution.

• Demand at local Cupboards, Food Pantries, and Soup Kitchens associated with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank was up from 30 – 50 percent in 2009 over 2008.

• The Cupboard at Calvary has experienced a 250 Percent growth the last six months of 2009 over the last six months of 2008.

• Our clientele consists of homeless individuals, the working poor, and displaced, unpaid or laid off workers.

• Resources are needed to purchase food at 18 cents a pound from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

• Any non perishable items donated can help offset Food Bank purchases.

• Volunteers are needed on distribution days to assist with pick up, set up, and distribution.

YOU CAN HELP BY:

• Writing a check to Calvary United Methodist Church and designation The Cupboard at Calvary on the notation line.

• Sponsoring a food drive of non-perishable items. Food drives can be as small as an individual and as large as companies, organizations or congregations.

• Volunteering on distribution day by calling Calvary United Methodist Church at 717-545-0021 and providing your contact information.