BY SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

The Little Pantry, outside the main entrance of Union Lutheran Church, Schnecksville, offers food and personal care items for people in need.

Irene Folk, who oversees the pantry, explained it is intended to help people during rough times when the pay check doesn’t stretch or when an unexpected bill turns up.

“We offer help until the next check comes in or you can get to a food bank,” Folk said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the pantry has been hit hard, and Folk has had to reach out for donations to keep it stocked.

“We are looking for items which would make a hot meal,” Folk said. “You can make a meal with cans of chicken or tuna, a bag of noodles, a can of cream soup, plus a can of vegetables which becomes a casserole.”

Nonperishable foods such as instant mashed potatoes, canned meat, spaghetti and sauce, pancake mix, canned soup and canned vegetables are all appropriate for the pantry.

“Right now, the pantry runs a little low at times, so we are asking for hearty meal ingredients,” Folk said.

Donations may be dropped off at the church door during office hours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays or just leave them at the pantry.

Anyone in need of supplies is welcome to use what the Little Pantry has to offer.

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St. John’s United Church of Christ, 1415 Rising Sun Road, Laurys Station, provides a bit of advice in its January newsletter:

“Leave behind you the old chapters that were filled with pages of worries and begin the new year with happiness, cheer, and smiles.”

During January and February, worship services will focus on hearing God’s invitation to new life and sharing that experience with others.

“As Christians, we give thanks that the Lord invites us on a faith journey with meaning, adventure, and ending in joy,” Pastor James Gottwald says. “We also know as Christians that God not only invites us on a journey of faith but also teaches us to extend the invitation to others.”

To learn how to access St. John’s services by Zoom or phone, call 610-262-8061.