Catholic Social Services of Montgomery County recently completed a major renovation aimed at transforming its well-known and heavily trafficked food pantry into a “Choice Market” model. This new approach to assisting individuals and families experiencing food insecurity will enable clients to “shop for” (choose) food items that meet their own unique dietary needs and preferences. Liz Peteraf, Administrator of the CSS Family Services Center where the food pantry is located, explains that “the Choice model is just good common sense, giving people the opportunity to choose foods that fit their preferences and support their health, and in a way that promotes their dignity and is also more efficient than the old system.” Just as importantly, in just the few days since reopening under this new approach, she has observed how it fosters “people interacting with and engaging one another as persons, and tears down the walls between us as clients and staff or volunteers.”
This new chapter in the life of one of the largest food pantries in the region was made possible by the generosity of two major donors. The Federal Association of the Order of Malta, a Catholic lay organization dedicated to service and charitable work, provided a $25,000 grant to purchase glass-door display case refrigerators and freezers. Coordinator of Philadelphia Division, Delaware Valley Region, Federal Association USA, Order of Malta, and his wife Jeanne Raubenstine (also a member of the Order and long-time supporter of Catholic Social Services) initiated the project and identified the Food Cupboard as a ‘hands-on’ local service project for a group of Order’s local members who assist there on monthly basis. Local members Karen and John Hoy were instrumental in writing the grant and presenting it to the Federal Association Board of Directors. “The Food Cupboard’s program does great work on a small budget, so funds for this equipment will enable it to better serve its clients,” said Hoy.
In addition, the North Penn Community Health Foundation supported the effort with a $10,000 grant to hire a consultant to coordinate the efforts of contractors and volunteers. Tom McGlynn, a young dedicated Catholic from Visitation parish and small business entrepreneur, served as the project manager for the metamorphosis. Peteraf raved about his meticulous planning and creative energy for the effort: “Tom brings a variety of unique skills that allowed him to take the project where it needed to go; he got lot of local contacts involved, many of whom ended up doing a lot of work pro bono (including himself). It became a labor of love for many people in this local community.
The pantry closed for business from May 29 through June 7 to accomplish major renovations, and re-opened on Monday June 8th as a “Choice Market.” From moving out existing food inventory to demolition, then rewiring and reconstruction, and finally painting and restocking, it was a packed 8 days of intense early morning to late evening work. What made those major changes possible in just 1 week on a modest budget? Peteraf offers up accolades to a group of over 50 dedicated volunteers who worked diligently and adeptly alongside contractors; some were relative newcomers, but most were members of a “CSS Montco” volunteer corps that numbers about 65 monthly and over 200 in total. Most come from area Catholic parishes – St. Paul (which provides space to the CSS Family Service Center and Food Pantry), St. Genevieve, Ss. Timothy and Titus, Visitation BVM, St. Helena, Epiphany of Our Lord, and Mother of Divine Providence. Some volunteers that Peteraf called out for special recognition include Maureen Connell, John Friede, Denise Janick, Eileen Gajewski and Maria Wilkerson, all of whom “were there literally day and night all week.”
In just the first 3 months of 2015, the food pantry distributed 150,353 pounds of food to 2,327 households, which represent 8,202 individuals served. The pantry as it was known, and now the “Choice Market” depends on that core group of regular volunteers to carry on weekly operations. All volunteers are cross-trained so that people can fulfill a variety of roles, and ensure that all who serve are very careful and deliberate about how services are delivered. Jim Drea, a St. Paul parishioner, is the longest serving volunteer who specializes in recruiting and coordinating volunteers, as well as cultivating and maintaining good relations with the various grocery stores that donate food to the effort. Tom Boyle from Mother of Divine Providence parish does “whatever needs to be done” according to Peteraf, including being ready “at a moment’s notice” to go and pick up food from local grocers who donate their overstock meat and produce food. Many young people have also gotten involved, some through local scout troops or parish youth groups, and others through local colleges like Ursinus College, whose “Bonner Grad Scholars” serve at the pantry as part of their scholarship requirement to engage in local community service.
CSS is fundraising for various projects to support the work of the pantry, and a “Go Fund Me” page is set up for those who would like to donate, at:
Those with questions about benefitting from the food pantry, or how you can help, may contact CSS Montgomery County at 610-279-7372 and ask for Liz Peteraf or Amanda Ruch, who runs day to day operations for the pantry.
The CSS Montgomery County Choice Market is open four days a week to any individual or family who is not able to meet their monthly food needs without assistance. Hours of operation are: Mondays 9:00 – 11:00am, Tuesdays 5:00 – 6:30pm, Thursdays 9:00 – 11:00am and 5:00 – 6:30pm, and Fridays 11:30am – 1:30pm.
