Food pantry grateful for donations, seeks new location

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Written by Larry McGuire

Wednesday, 23 December 2009

DUBOIS — The blow to a food pantry located in the basement of a building destroyed by fire last Friday was devastating, but the director of the food pantry said donations have been great. “Unfortunately, we had the maximum amount of food stored in the pantry,” Frank Burt, director of the DuBois Area Food Pantry that is supported by the DuBois Ministerium Association, said Tuesday. “Despite the loss, the outpouring of donations has been fantastic. We couldn’t hope for any more food than we received. “You don’t realize how many friends you have until tragedy strikes,” he added. Burt said pantry personnel have not been permitted inside the building yet, as the owner, Leroy Raybuck, must hire an engineer to survey the structure to see if it is safe to enter. Burt said he was able to see in the front of the building down the handicapped ramp and into the basement, where the water has drained. He reported that the food pantry lost an estimated $10,000 in food, along with its location. “We had just received our first quarter state food allotment worth more than $5,000, and lost donated food worth $3,000 to $4,000 and federal food estimated at $1,000 to $2,000,” Burt said. Burt noted, however, that the DuBois Area School District has offered a large room in Mansell Stadium for the food pantry to use until it can find a new location. “Lowe’s has been outstanding in helping us to replace the equipment that was lost in the fire,” he said. “Donated equipment has been offered by the state, and Community Action Inc. has assisted in replacing some of the food. We hope to learn much more about what is salvageable within the next week, (and) if we are allowed to enter the building.” Fortunately, the food bank’s records were not kept at the Jared Street location, Burt said, adding that he hopes it will have a new location by the time of its next distribution, Thursday, Dec. 31. The pantry had been at its Jared Street location since 1989. Burt said the food pantry will survive. “The real tragedy is the loss of life and homes for the residents of the building,” he said.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 December 2009 )