Spirit Club Spreads Spirit to Local Food Bank

The Fleetwood Area High School’s spirit club recently began participating in the food bank at the Fleetwood Community Center.

For those who are not familiar with the food bank, it is held on the first Thursday of every month. Participants unload food from a truck, distribute, and carry the items out. Those who work in the food bank really appreciate the help of the spirit club and hope more students of Fleetwood will participate next time.

The food bank truck arrives at 3:00 p.m. If anyone is interested, participants will be able to walk or drive to the community center with the spirit club. Set-up and the order completion follows until 4:30, when the doors are opened for distribution until 6 P.M. A special Thanksgiving distribution with the help of Alvernia University and a Christmas distribution were part of the recent program.

The food bank began  in 1996 with funds given from the Baccalaureate service for the 1996 graduating class. Rev. Megan (Mumma) Huesgan, a graduate of Fleetwood, was the prime mover getting the food bank started. She recognized the need and asked St. Paul’s UCC Rev. Dr. Barbara Kerschner Daniel how to get a food pantry started.  Betty Quier, who had experience in running a food pantry, was asked to initiate this program.

Since that time, the bank has served anywhere from 35 to 160 families. The food bank is averaging 110 families per month. Food is purchased from the Berks County Food Bank with funds donated by area churches and individuals. Local stores donate foods and/or coupons toward purchases.