Month: July 2023

So Handy: Baycare Clinic Donation Makes Food Transport Easy

Joan Koehne

On July 12, 2023, BayCare Clinic donated 500 sturdy canvas bags to Hope Center Pantry. Pantry volunteers use the bags to pack food items for single clients. The bags fit enough food for clients who are the only one in a household. Not only are the bags convenient for transporting food, clients keep the canvas bags and can reuse them as needed.

Reusable Bag Donation Supports Pantry Clients

The canvas bags are really handy for clients to carry food, especially if they walk or bike to Hope Center Pantry, 505 Clinton Street, Green Bay. Balancing a paper grocery bag filled with food on a bike is a challenge! Plus, paper grocery bags tear easily and are difficult to carry, even a short distance.

Consider Donating to Hope Center Pantry

Thanks to Baycare Clinic for the donation of canvas bags! If your business or nonprofit is interested in organizing a food drive or donating miscellaneous items to Hope Center Pantry, contact us. View our Wish List on the How You Can Help page.

Food Donation: Stranger’s Act of Kindness Fills Pantry Shelves

Joan Koehne
food donation to Hope Center Pantry from Green Bay man

The kindness of strangers sometimes stops us in our tracks. On July 20, 2023, we received a call from someone who wanted to donate some food for a good cause on behalf of his mom. He had called several agencies before reaching out to us because no one seemed to take his food donation request seriously. He asked us several questions about what we do at the pantry (hours we’re open, number of clients we serve, etc.). Then he asked us what our greatest current needs were at the pantry. We told him we were in need of food donations of pasta, canned chicken, mac-n-cheese, peanut butter and taco seasoning for our summer taco kits.

Surprise Call Unearths Extraordinary Generosity

He said he’d like to buy all of those items to help out the pantry, but he would need some assistance. So, the following day, we met him at the service desk as Woodman’s. After showing him our credentials for the pantry, we shopped at his direction. It took almost two hours as we eventually had several carts to maneuver. While shopping, we got to hear more of his story. He moved back to the area 40 years ago to be near his mom and help take care of her. They had a special relationship.

774 Pounds of Food Fill Pantry Shelves

When it was time to check-out, the total bill was $1,707.94. He purchased 774 pounds of food to be donated to the pantry, which filled an entire minivan! We had no words to thank him enough for the food donation and his unexpected generosity. We invited him to tour the pantry so he could see where his substantial food donation was going to be used. He said that he was sure that the food would be well-used, and off he went.

Goosebumps of Gratitude

We still get goosebumps recalling this extraordinary generosity and are beyond grateful for his kindness. Although he chooses to remain anonymous, he most definitely is no longer a stranger.

Love Life Volunteer: Making Friends & Promoting Childhood Safety

Joan Koehne
Bonnie Fonferek, volunteer at Love Life Ministries

Hi, I’m Bonnie Fonferek, and I started volunteering at Love Life Ministries in March of 2023. I’m a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Howard, WI, where I’m a member of the parish Social Concerns Committee. Jackie Walker, who passed away in February 2023, was an active member of the Social Concerns Committee and also was a volunteer at Love Life for many years. After her passing, I decided to take her place as a volunteer at Love Life. I knew I had big shoes to fill!

As a Love Life volunteer, I wash the donated clothes. I also attend Center for Childhood Safety meetings to keep Love Life informed of best practices regarding childhood safety. The Center for Childhood Safety helps families and communities keep kids safe from injuries. The Green Bay, WI, organization is a source of safety education and programming in Northeast Wisconsin.

Volunteering at Love Life Ministries has been a great experience. I really enjoy the friendships I’m developing with all the wonderful, hardworking volunteers at Love Life. Want to join us? Love Life Ministries accepts new volunteers from all walks of life. Contact us to learn more.

20-Year Volunteer: Giving is the Best Part of Life

Joan Koehne
Love Life Ministry Volunteer

Hello, my name is Linda VanPay. I have been volunteering at Love Life Ministries for about 20 years. I originally started by laundering the baby clothing that people donated.

Also, some men from the Green Bay Correctional Institution volunteered to make baby receiving blankets back then. I decided that I could do them a little better. So, I started making the receiving blankets, along with burp cloths. I sew the baby blankets and burp clothes multiple times a year.

I always go to Joann Fabric in November when they have Black Friday Sales to get the best price on the flannel fabric. I buy 10 to 15 bolts of flannel, and Love Life reimburses me for the purchase.

I love doing this, and it is rewarding to me to be able to do it. I’m grateful that God gave me the ability to do the things I do and that I can be helpful to others.