After many, many requests, we are going back to a Senior Citizen and Disabled time on Tues. SO Tues from 1:30 - 4 will be set aside for people over age 60+ and people who disabilities. 4-6 on Tues will remain open for anyone. I understand it's going to take a little bit to get this info out there, so please be patient if others try and come during these special times, we will inform them of the change as they come. Also, we would appreciate if you would respect the intension of disabilities, and not show up claiming a disability such as a missing finger or a learning disability. This time is intended for those who need help and extra time to shop due to things like walkers, bad backs/legs/feet, wheelchairs, a crippling fear of being around crowds, things like this. This has been a request for a very long time, please pass the word around, as many seniors don't do social media, and feel free to come in to volunteer to help carry or walk with people. Thank you!! PLEASE SHARE
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Thank you for doing this, this will allow me to come and not worry as much
Does agoraphobia count I struggle badly and honestly haven’t made it to the new location fear of the crowd. The drive thru was less people and more manageable!
STINESVILLE!!! We will be seeing you tomorrow for the Stone Quarry Festival. Our Strawberry car and van will be in the parade AND I have it on good authority the the Head ELF has sent her Asst. ELF,Elfetta down to be in your parade too, since she did a fantastic job last weekend! We have 🍓 Strawberry candies to throw from the strawberry car and Chula Chula lollipops from the van. When you see us ..SCREAM!!!! PLEASE share!
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Some immediate needs we have. A dryer ( new, used, I don't care as long as it works ) ours imploded. Tons of bags!! Click it's are loved, but all clean. Non holey bags like kroger, target, Walmart bags are needed. We are using around 3000+ a week! Egg cartons. Pens, any kind of writing pen. And of course the usual, food, money, volunteers, but for now those listed above are immediate. Thank you!! And we do have our wooden donation boxes up around the back of the building. They are up against the fence, just look for our truck. Bright purple walking, and our bright green door.
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I saved two egg cartons this morning. I also have some bags. See you early next week to drop off.
I will bring you some tomorrow.
Where exactly are you located and what are your hours? This says 501 e Temperence but your web site says 3610 W. State Road 46 Bloomington, IN 47404 which is it?
Thank you to the Monroe County Extension Homemakers for having me speak at their awards banquet this evening. What wonderful hostesses!! Dinner was yummy and then they filled up my SUV with food and cleaning donations for the Pantry 279 ! Many also went up and above and generously donated cash as well. Thank you all so much, this was a blessing much needed at this time.
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Domestic Engineers was so happy you could come and share the pantry story. You had everyone’s undivided attention. 😎 So glad MCEHA could send you home with a well-filled car!
Kindness in return.
Great! 🥰
Wonderful.
I was so excited about going back to a choice, shopping pantry. Being able to choose the items you want stops wasted food ( which is hard to get ) and allows for dignity and fairness. Does this mean there is a wait, YES, it does! Everyone deserves the right to take their time and look at what they have to choose from, and if there are allergies, be able to read the label. Some people have difficulty walking, or even moving fast. When it is your turn, you too should have this right. YES, we have limits! There has to be, not because we want them, but because we want everyone to be able to get food. I wish we had a never ending supply of food that would never ever run out, but that is not the case. We DO have unlimited items, and they are up front where you can get them before shopping and take them to your car, making everyone's wait shorter. If you think about it, the wait is not much different than when you waited in a hot/cold car in the line at the church. It's just you were in a car and slowly inching forward. Now its inside in climate control and you can have a drink and a snack, look at the fish tank, read, talk, play on your phone.... IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE AROUND PEOPLE OR WAIT, PARK AND CALL AND ASK FOR A PREPACKED BOX TO BE BROUGHT OUT TO YOUR CAR!! This can be done!
BUT be NICE to people in the pantry! Especially our staff and volunteers. This calling us names, cussing, complaining and saying we are stupid or much worse will end NOW. We work, mostly for free, from 9:30am - 7 or later at night, both on days we are open and days we are not cleaning and making sure things are nice and safe for you. From now on, anyone being mean to volunteers or staff will be asked to take a prepacked box and leave and we can try this again next week. If it continues, you will be invited to go elsewhere. We love our community and want EVERYONE to have good, healthy food and a CHOICE, but violence and rude meanness will not be tolerated. I am sorry I must post about this again, and signs will be posted for those not having social media, but this seems the quickest way to get to the most people, please SHARE
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I’m so sorry this is happening and you have to tell people to be kind. You guys do such a wonderful job providing such and amazing service to those in need. Keep on being amazing!!
Good points. It’s unfortunate it has to be said. I’ve worked along side you all and love you all. I’ve seen firsthand what has to be done just to get things ready in a few hours. You do a fantastic job!
I absolutely LOVE being able to shop again!!!!! Thank you so much for all you all do!!!!
They should be greatful. I think that they should be asked to act like an adult and if they are unable to comply then kindly ask for their name and verify their address and household members, then politely asked for them to not return to the pantry, that they are banned. Make sure to have a list visible to the stff that checks people in and have their name on it. If another family member is available and can act proper, then they will be allowed to come in and get the basket for the family. You all do wonderful work. My family hasn't been able to go in quite some time because the hours doesn't work with my husbands work hours and we only have 1 working vehicle. Everyone that volunteers does a wonderful job and always have been kind to everyone that I have witnessed and to my family as well. People who are aggressive have a potential to become violent and can harm anyone in the pantry at that time and shouldn't be tolerated. Thank you all for everything you do.
You ALL are amazing in all that you offer in being kind and helping so MANY ! You are appreciated and prayed for daily in the work you do for the community ! I enjoy coming and helping when I can… God Bless you All 🙏🏻
I'm just here to agree with the previous responses. You are a wonderful help to people in need. No one deserves to be disrespected. Thank you.
I’m so sorry to hear that, thankful I can come there..it is a blessing to us ..Thank you each and everyone
So sorry people are treating you so rudely. Hopefully this post will help. Thanks for all you do and all your hard work! God Bless you!!
I know the Community Kitchen has banned patrons before. I don't see why you can't do the same. We appreciate you!
That’s too bad, be kind!
Memorandum to Bloomington: Don't bite the hand(s) that feed you. No one's forcing Cindy or her volunteers to help you. There are other things they could be doing, and for themselves. Be grateful for them.
Be greatful! This is NOT a government entity. These are volunteers that DON’T have to do this. If you want the doors to remain open. Have some respect. Everyone has a breaking point. Remember that! I don’t use there services yet appreciate all they do
I have never been there but I do not understand the mentality of being rude or mean with someone who is trying to help you .I am very sorry you have had to deal with this .I guess maybe Its because grew up in a world where in America people said please and thank you ,and may I help you I am afraid that seems to be getting lost and I find that sad
I’m sorry but in my opinion if your cursing out workers you should be told to leave WITHOUT anything. The workers should not have to tolerate that from people getting stuff for free to begin with.
It's wonderful to see the Pantry 279 dream become reality having their own building plus amenities, dedicated to the service of feeding those struggling during these tough times. When back at the church my son and I noticed that the line of cars would be out on the highway so he volunteered one day a week helping line them up and keep the drive thru open for delivery trucks until the pantry was open. Mostly we met really nice people but there were times when he met with anger and rage so severe I was concerned about the safety of the volunteers. I never understood how or why people could be acting that way when everyone coming there, even the volunteers, are there for the same purpose, to combat food insecurity. Cindy, Felicia, and all the volunteers have worked to make this dream become reality. It has been awesome to watch this amazing project taking shape. All of this is what it is because of people giving time out of their daily lives and via donations of many kinds be it monetary, through food drives, grants, or even companies donating to get their products out to the public. All of this is free to those in need so there should be no reason for anyone to act out with 'rage' the people in charge are so easy to talk to and ready to help everyone. This is a wonderful cause and movement to be a part of.
And folks remember if you were sitting in line at the church, you were probably had the car running so you could have heater or a/c so you were burning more gasoline
Tomorrow ( Thursday ) will be our first day of clothing pantry. It is from 11am - 4pm and ONLY clothing will be available during this time. No appointment needed, just come. remember we are now between Urban Air and El Ranchero. If you need to GPS, put in 3609 SR 46, Bloomington, IN and that will get you to the building. Please share
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Do you need all sizes/types? I can wait to bring in two weeks as suggested.
Can we bring clothing to donate anytime you are open?
Wonderful of those wanting to donate. We probably need to mindful of the season.
I have girls clothes to donate. I don’t know if I’ll get around to it by tomorrow but I’m cleaning out my daughters clothing and when I’m done, I will bring a bag in.
I have tons of clothes I’m gathering to donate soon! Are you guys in need of anything specific clothing wise?
Zion has been such a blessing to us and the community for many years. Every month, they focus on collecting an item and bring it over, this month it was soup and crackers. Now they will help raise needed money for the Thanksgiving box distribution. Typically this money has gone to help pay for turkeys.We LOVE it when we run out of room on our Pantry 279 donation shelves!
Good work Zion family!
For October we are shifting our giving to help offset the cost of Thanksgiving boxes. We are taking monetary donations now through November 12!
You can donate at our website: zioncommunity.org/give
Find the button to Give Online (about half way down the page) and you will find a drop down menu with Pantry 279 Thanksgiving as an option! 100% given to this fund goes to the pantry!
Thanks again for your generosity!
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Love this idea!!
And we are getting into soup time of year.
I believe I already signed up for the Thanksgiving box but not positive. Is there away you can check to let me know. Please and thank you
We will be here livestreaming for a little while. All tips are going to help kick start the Thanksgiving Box project for this year!
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What time you open on Wednesday?