Donations to Our Lady's Pantry are down

“If you are in a position to help, that would be grand,” says Tom Bullaro, co-director of Our Lady's Pantry with his wife Anita.  “Even a small check can make a difference."

According to Bullaro, some of the nutritious food he purchases from Feeding Tampa Bay is available at wholesale prices, but he can purchase many staples for $.18 a pound.  One way or another, even a small check for $5 puts several meals on the table for a family, who may be struggling with hunger.

Hunger is especially an issue in some households during summer, he points out, when children are home from school and raiding the kitchen around the clock.

Anita and Tom Bullaro, co-directors of Our Lady's Pantry, greeting our clients one morning.

“We also welcome volunteers, if you have any free time,” says Bullaro.  “We work on Tuesday and Friday mornings unpacking, organizing, and stocking food from Feeding Tampa Bay.  Then on Saturday mornings, we distribute food to our families between 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

"We are in special need of men to help load heavy boxes of groceries into the cars of our families.  On Saturdays, some volunteers come early to start setting up by 6:15 a.m.  Others stop in about 9 a.m. to relieve early volunteers, who cannot stay until we close at 11:00 a.m.

“While we receive many donations for our families over the holidays, we ask you to remember that our families need to eat every day.  Whether you can gift us with your time or your treasure, we thank you very much.”

Donations may be mailed to Our Lady's Pantry, c/o Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Migrant Mission; 16650 U.S. Highway 301 South; Wimauma, Fl. 33598. To learn more about our charity, kindly visit us at:  www.OurLadysPantry.com