A Mulberry food pantry gets bigger to serve more people

MULBERRY, Ind. (WLFI) - A group in Mulberry is beaming about two rooms. The rooms aren't that big. They're about 8 by 12 feet. Although they're small members of the Stone Soup Food Pantry Committee said they're an improvement from the pantry's old space.

Members said more room means they have the ability to serve more people.

"We don't want anyone to go hungry," Stone Soup Food Pantry Coordinator Janet Fisher said. "We've been very blessed, and this is a way to give back to the community."

The Stone Soup Food Pantry has been serving people in Mulberry for more than a decade. The committee moved the pantry to the Faye Snyder Community Resource Center in January.

On Sunday the public celebrated the opening.

Members hope more people will get word of where the food pantry is located.

"In Mulberry you don't always know addresses," Stone Soup Food Pantry Committee Member Barb Seager said. "You know where people live or where something is by. We wanted people to come and help us celebrate."

Seager said in just two months she has seen the pantry's clientele double. Fisher and her husband Ed said they're still getting a grasp of what the need is in Mulberry.

They said as more people come in the more they learn.

"I have found out there are a lot of elderly people that are in need," Fisher said.

"I feel like when these people are warmly greeted they will spread the word to others," Seager said.

With growing space and a growing clientele the donations are also getting bigger. Seager said local service groups, churches, and schools have been donating. They now have so much food some is being stored away for later.

The Fishers said the donations make sure they do not have to turn anyone away.

"[I love] seeing smiles on people," Ed Fisher said. "Last month a lady gave us a hug. That makes it [worth it] right there."

You do not need a certain financial status to visit the Stone Soup Food Pantry. However, volunteers say you must live in Madison Township, or attend a church in the township to receive the pantry's services.

The Stone Soup Food Pantry is open every third Monday and Tuesday of each month. Monday's hours are from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday's hours are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.