Seeks Volunteers,  Donations and Money

     Story and Photos by Nichole Richardson

Florissant’s local food pantry, TEAM, of the Emergency Assistance Ministry, is celebrating its 30-year anniversary and looking for volunteers to help them serve the Florissant and Hazelwood.

Volunteers are needed to help in the office and distribution areas, sort products, shop for items, stock the pantry, work fundraising events, and perform various handyman chores. “Any day of the week, we can use more volunteers! We definitely have a shortage of warehouse people-men or women- who can lift up to 40 pounds, to stock food for orders we fill each day, along with sorting food donations,” said Nancy Wolf, director of TEAM food pantry.

TEAM opened in 1986 at the Lutheran Church of the Atonement and after a second move to Hazelwood, finally relocated in 2001 to its current location at 265 St. Catherine in Florissant. The pantry has 3000 client families registered and helps an average of 30 to 40 families daily during the week and another 20 on Saturdays. Sponsored by over 30 churches in the Florissant-Hazelwood area, they supply basic household and food items to people in need.

While help is readily available during holiday seasons, it is not so plentiful during the spring and summer months. “Donations are much lower May through October and we wouldn’t be able to operate without our TEAM volunteers to help us distribute food,” said Wolf.

If you’re interested in donating more than just your time, the pantry accepts most anything a household would need. It is especially short on meats, perishables, infant supplies, and/or paper and personal items such as toilet paper, shampoos and the like, since these items cannot be bought with assistance such as food stamps.

  Orders are filled based on family size and are given monthly to supplement other means. Clients must call for an appointment, get certified, and show proof of residency along with a picture ID to receive their once-a-month donations.

TEAM relies solely on the generosity of local businesses,  local churches, organizations, and individuals to supply them with enough capital and manpower to remain open and able to serve. They held  a trivia night in April and participate in local community events such as Food Truck nights.

They are partnering with Hendel’s Restaurant on June 16 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. to hold a fundraiser. If TEAM is mentioned while ordering, 15% of the check total will be donated to them. There will also be a gift basket raffle.

If you are interested in donating money, they have set up a GoFundMe page, which has already raised $5300 from generous donors. For more information call 314-831-0879. Pantry hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

   Checks can also be mailed to:

Attn: Joe Frazier

265 St. Catherine

Florissant, Mo 63031

Zip codes served by TEAM include 63031, 63033, 63034, and 63042. St. Louis County individuals qualifying for TFAP.

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