By Thomas Sellers Jr & Michelle Torres
Food Pantry shelves were filling up in December. Kiwanis gives back. VFW gives back. NSA Mid-South gives back.
VFW Does It Again
For months Millington Food Pantry volunteer Pam Villarreal faced nearly empty shelves and bare walls in the building on the campus of the Millington First United Methodist Church. But a recent rush of donations of food and money have reloaded the Pantry.
On Dec. 18, a few of those who raised money came to the Pantry to present checks to Villarreal and FUMC Minister Ed White; Dorthy MacKenzie (Vice President FRA Ladies Auxuitary 86), Wayne Simpson (Military Order of the Cootie Puptent 26 Seam Squirrel), Ken O’Connor (Post Commander Veterans of Foreign Wars Pot 7175, and Bill Maillet (President Fleet Reserve Association Branch 86). The veteran groups raised $1,225 for the Pantry.
“It feels outstanding to help out the community when it’s in need,” O’Connor said. “And this is the season to do it. This is year around for us. We did the Toys for Tots as well.”
The organizations have several scholarships and host children’s parties three times a year. The VFW Post 7175 has even built ramps for disabled Millington residents.
The checks were just part of the resident donations made to the Pantry. Several boxes of food have been given to the facility for the Millington Christmas Food Baskets.
White outlined the process of filling baskets with several holiday food items for needy families. He said the effort will feed hundreds of families in the area. At the moment of the check presentation, the church had 318 baskets.
“It’s exciting to see the community serving the community,” White said.
For more information on the VFW call 872-7175.
NSA Mid-South Holiday Food Drive
The community was very generous with NSA Mid-South Holiday food drive donating enough for 39 Thanksgiving baskets, and 40 Christmas baskets for our active duty, reservists, civilians and retirees to offset the expense of this Holiday season.
NSA Chapel was abundantly blessed this season with the Holiday Food drive was also able to donate to first United Methodist Church of Millington/ Millington Food bank truck load of food and a $944.00 check to help the community.
Special Thanks to the following individuals/commands: LCDR Aimes-Tillman, NSA Commissary, PSD Memphis, PWD Mid-South, Mowbray family and Our Volunteers for preparing baskets
Kiwanis Raises Funds
Millington Food Pantry volunteer Pam Villarreal and First United Methodist Church Minister Ed White were presented a check for $1,000 by the Millington Kiwanis Club on Dec. 18. Kiwanis President Clarence Hatcher and Treasurer Mike Caruthers made the presentation to the Pantry. Hatcher noted the money was raised from the Christmas Tree Sale and Pancake Breakfast.
White noted all those who bought trees locally from Kiwanis can see where their money is going, back into the community.
