St. Andrew's Food Pantry

The Food Pantry is operated by 7 to 9 volunteers out of a room in the basement under the sanctuary.  And we are open from 9:30 to 11:30 every Thursday and Friday except for Christmas.  We are averaging approximately 580 people, including 210 children, per month.  For many families, we provide critically needed staples they can't always afford.

We serve clients who live in the city of Elyria, and meet the income guidelines set by the Ohio Dept. of Jobs and Family Services at roughly 200% of the poverty level.  The recipients are limited by regulation to one visit per month.  The intent is to supplement, and not replace, their own food purchases.

Some pantries distribute bags of food, we take the clients through the pantry and allow them to choose what they need based on their family size.  We have received food from collections taken through Harvest for Hunger, but the bulk of the food is bought (or free) from Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio - a charitable organization funded by grants from the State and foundations, and operated under Federal and State guidelines.

Half the monies from the two cents a meal collection goes to the food pantry and community meals.  But the vast majority of our food costs are covered by funding from 2nd Harvest.  Any person or organization wishing to support this worthy cause may contribute to St. Andrew and specify the Food Pantry.  We have no overhead -  all monies go to feed people.  And all the food we supply is nutritionally quality food.