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Food Pantry in Florissant Is Truly a TEAM Effort
Marianne Jones (in polka dot top) pauses while stocking shelves at TEAM, located in Florissant.
Story and photos by Carol Arnett
The statistics for The Emergency Assistance Ministry (TEAM) can be amazing. Thirty to 4o people are helped each day; over 120 volunteers donate time to help; and 32 churches give time, talent, and money to support the food pantry.
Betty Seeney, the director of the pantry, said that the pantry is always in need of donations. “There are a lot of things you can’t buy with food stamps,” she said, such as paper products and personal care items like soap and shampoo. “We always appreciate money,” Seeney said. TEAM uses the money to purchase those items and any other items that are running low.
TEAM also always needs food with meat in it, such as chili, stew or soup. They also accept perishables, such as meat, as long as they are not already opened.
Most of the pantry’s clients pick up enough food for a week or a week and a half at a time. “We’re seeing more and more people,” Seeney said. “We have people out of work, single mothers, and other people affected by the economy.”
“We have some people who work, but can’t afford everything they need,” she said. For example, they can pay the rent or buy food, but not both.
Seeney also said that they have seen more senior citizens living off Social Security. They also sometimes can’t afford to buy food on top of their other expenses, Seeney said.
TEAM also provides other assistance. “We help with Ameren, Laclede Gas, the water bill, rent, mortgage,” Seeney said. “We don’t pay the whole bill,” she said. Clients must pay a part of it.
Joe Waing (green shirt) and Merl Renaud (grey striped shirt) work on paperwork at TEAM.
The churches affiliated with TEAM provide workers, money and food. Seeney said some churches are able to give more than others. Several hold monthly food drives or ask church members for specific items for TEAM, such as the paper products Seeney mentioned.
Many of the volunteers work one day a week. “I started several years ago through my church,” said Marianne Jones. She said she enjoys the camaraderie of the group she works with, and she enjoys helping others. She works in the pantry, putting orders together for clients. Other volunteers restock the shelves, and complete the paperwork required.
“We’ve had a lot of volunteers who have been here for years,” Seeney said. “They’ve worked together with the same crew for years.”
TEAM is open from 10 to 2 Monday through Friday and from 10 – noon on Saturday. They accept donations any time they are open. Several of the member churches also accept donations at other times.
