The Bolton Elementary School Food Pantry, a partnership among Knollwood Baptist, Trinity Presbyterian, and Wesley Memorial United Methodist churches, continues to address the food insecurity needs of the families at Bolton Elementary. Sixty-seven family units, representing more than 292 individuals, utilize the pantry each month. The pantry offers both drive-through and in-person shopping experiences for families. They can either receive pre-packed bags of canned and dry goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, milk, frozen meats, and cleaning supplies, or they can select which items they need.

Most of the food distributed is purchased in bulk from Second Harvest Food Bank. Eggs and supplemental fruits and vegetables are also purchased in bulk from a local vendor. The partner churches donate items such as diapers, cleaning supplies, trash bags, and selected food items. Knollwood contributes toilet paper, grocery bags, bar soap, black beans, peanut butter, and jelly. KBC folks have contributed birthday bags, holiday treats, and gently used books for distribution, which always result in smiles. Fresh produce from KBC members’ gardens is also a welcome treat.

Over 50 volunteers perform quite a few tasks to make the bimonthly openings possible. Teams call or text families with reminders in both English and Spanish, pick up food from Second Harvest, unload food and pack bags for pickup, prepare produce for distribution, greet and sign in attendees, accompany families as they shop, load cars, make a few deliveries, and break down and haul away cardboard for recycling. Volunteers range in age from middle school to “very mature” and always have fun working together.

In addition to supplementing the food budgets of the Bolton families, volunteers are grateful for the relationships established through pantry participation.