LAKEPORT >> Lake County Christian Parish Food Pantry is an outreach program conducted by the Social Concerns Committee of the United Christian Parish Church. The committee distributes food to needy persons and families at the church three days each week — on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., with extended hours as needed.
From July 1, 2015, through June 30 of this year the operation served 1,301 adults and 478 children for a total of 1,779 residents. The group also assists in feeding the community by coordinating efforts with the Lakeport Free Kitchen project, which is comprised of some private individuals and the local Seventh Day Adventist Church.
In addition to the normal food needs, the fire recovery effort of 2015 led the pantry to donate food at a much greater rate during the months of September and October. For a period of time the pantry was open several house a day, seven days per week.
During a normal yyear the UCP Food Pantry relies on obtaining supplies form sources such as the Redwood Food Bank, donations of food from individuals and from school food drives. Last year the pantry received a generous donation from the Lakeport Grocery Outlet, owned by Jeff and Jackie Hansen.
In July of 2015 the Grocery Outlet held a food drive which was well supported by local shoppers. From the drive, the Hansens and their employees, along with their customers, donated over $2,000 for the purchase of food and over 100 sacks of non-perishable food items.
This year Lakeport’s Grocery Outlet once again held a fundraiser for the UCP program. During the month of July they raised $1,530 and approximately 150 sacks of non-perishable food items for the church’s outreach programs.
