The pantry got started when church secretary Barbara Lewis began to keep crackers in her desk for the increasing string of people asking St. George’s for help. Their number, in wealthy Arlington, was a revelation to rector Bob Hall. With his encouragement, distribution of food from an office closet began.

St. George’s parishioners, aided by staff members over the years, adopted this program wholeheartedly. Harold and Alice Cox were the first to help: they gave away food from the staff cache on a first-come, first-served basis until it was gone. They involved other people, who brought nonperishable items to the altar. As the program grew, St. George’s began storing food in a cabinet under the stairs and distributing it in a hallway near the rector’s office—often providing great distractions. Marion Malone began going to bakeries and getting day-old cookies and bread. Parishioners brought and still bring in used plastic bags to help with distribution. Other people joined the distribution team. Connie McAdam’s response is typical: she sends clients away with a cheerful, “Have a nice day.”

Lauren Stanley, now an ordained Episcopal priest, put together our present operation. She organized buying to include shopping at Price Club and initiated fund-raising methods, such as sales of bookmarks, magnets, and tote bags. At her request, nutritionist Angela Churchill developed, in consultation with clients, a list of nutritious food items. She cleared our operation with county officials, and after the fire marshal expressed displeasure with the cabinet at the foot of the stairs, Ted Mann built a storage closet on wheels, called the Red Dragon. Lauren next arranged for a $3,000 grant from the Diocesan Fund for Human Need, with the result that the accounting became formalized. Other gifts followed: food from the congregation, extra bakery goodies, P-38 can openers, razors, and socks. In 1993, the vestry began funding the pantry from St. George’s budget, financially committing to its operation.

In July 1994, Wendi Mitchell became coordinator. She organized raffles of Betty Iseli’s stuffed bunnies. She listened to complaints and dealt with difficult clients. During church reconstruction she moved the Food Pantry to the rear of the San José chapel, where it operates today.

In 1997, the church’s Social Ministries Committee began coordinating pantry leadership. It no longer depends on church staff but functions entirely as a ministry of the congregation.

The Food Pantry’s purpose is well served. Those who come to it receive a balanced meal and encounter people who will listen. Over the years hundreds of clients have been helped and much gratitude expressed. Devoted volunteers discover that people in need who come to the pantry are real people with real stories.

-- Nancy McCracken