Feeling of Gratitude Endless at Jo's Food Pantry This Holiday Season

A food assistance program is making things a little easier for struggling Monroe and Pike County families this holiday season. The line was long this morning, but the feeling of gratitude was endless, at Light of the World Church in Smithfield Township. Their food pantry’s monthly distribution today also included items for Christmas. Organizers say the number of people in need in the area continues to increase, and they're happy to be able to provide for those less fortunate. Each person’s number is called as they patiently wait for their turn to “shop." Jo's Food Pantry Director Ida Mathew says, "If I give something to them and they don’t want it, they don’t need it, they waste it. So what they do is, it’s a choice pantry, they come in and we have volunteers on each station and they pick what they need." Today the parking lot is filled at Light of the World Church in Minisink Hills. Up to 140 families are expected today for its food distribution. We’re told Jo’s Pantry feeds about 800 people. But the numbers increase each month as inflation continues to take it’s toll. Mathew says, "We have a lot of people and people are hurting." Bushkill Resident Lashonda Rice calls it a blessing. It’s her second time walking away with a wide variety of food including fresh produce, dairy products, meats and fish along with shelf ready items. Everything offered is first come- first serve to anyone who could use the extra help. And today there’s also holiday hams and extra goodies for Christmas. Rice says, "I recently was divorced and I’m pretty much doing it by myself. I have a son and a disabled mom so it’s just my income." Echainna Thomas has been volunteering since the pantry opened and knows it’s more than the food that’s making a difference. Thomas says, "We do it every first Friday of the month and get to know the clients. The people who are coming in, they become like family, we love them. We enjoy being with them." Whether the client is new or has been coming to this distribution from the beginning, they all feel right at home. We’re told it’s all thanks to the volunteers. Rice says, "They’re very friendly, that helps a lot. It takes a lot just to come to a place like this, you know, especially if you’ve been working and I’ve gone to college, I’m a military veteran, and I have to humble myself and ask for help." But none of it would be possible without the greater community’s support. Mathew says, "We get donations from Giant, Second Harvest, from Walmart and different places, Wawa." Tis the season, if you’d like to donate just contact Light of the World Church in Smithfield Township.