Reaching out to those in need
Hands of Christ Ministry opening free store, food pantry in Bismarck
By CHRIS CLINE
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Mike Dane (right) explains the process people will go through when they get groceries from Bismarck's new food pantry as Mayor Dennis Mayberry looks on from behind the counter. - Chris Cline / Daily Journal
BISMARCK — A burning desire to reach out to help those who need it most has sparked the creation of a new food pantry in Bismarck. The recently formed Hands of Christ Ministry hopes to have the new food pantry opened by this Christmas.
In addition to the food pantry, the ministry is also opening up a free store/donation center next door. Bismarck Mayor Dennis Mayberry is on the board of directors for the new ministry and is also the director of the free store.
“This has been a passion of mine for years,” Mayberry said. “I had served on the board of a different food pantry. For various reasons we decided to start our own. Several of us have a vision of this for quite some time. When the building became available we decided to seize the opportunity.”
The president of the ministry board is Steve Devine, the vice-president is Rick Thomure, the secretary/ treasurer is Leanna French and the board members are Bob Weldon and Mayberry.
Mayberry said the free store will offer clothing, household furnishings and toys.
“This is an avenue that we can use to get these items to the people who need them,” he said. “We are supplying a place that they can come to and get the things they need and not have to worry about it. Anything not moved or taken within 30 days will be boxed up and sent to the Larry Rice Ministries.”
The free store will be operated in building space donated by Grisham Real Estate.
Mayberry feels the free store is unique because people will be able to go to the food pantry to get the groceries that they need and then they will be able to go next door and get the other items that they need.
“It’s kind of like going to Wal-Mart,” he said. “As we get our message out there, we are getting more and more volunteers. Everybody wants to get on board with this because it’s truly a good thing that is going to help a lot of people.”
Mayberry said by next year he hopes to have raised $5,000 that can go toward assisting people with their utility bills.
“This money would be used to help people who are facing having their utilities shut off,” he said. “I want to let everyone know that the free store is not restricted to Bismarck residents. This is a community thing and is open to anyone in need. We want to reach out to a large area. For the people that need it, the stuff will be free.”
Mayberry said the store needs donations from businesses and individuals.
“Anyone who wishes to donate items can call me at 573-518-5114,” Mayberry said. “When a family’s house burns down and they lose everything they had, this is what this place is all about. We are here to help people.”
Mike Dane, the director of the food pantry, said he hopes to have the food pantry up and running by Christmas. The pantry is located in a building donated by Weldon. Dane has planned a canned food drive for Nov. 29 to help kick off the pantry.
“We are going to go around to residences and businesses in Bismarck and put bags out,” he said. “Similar to what the Cub Scouts do. We know the Cub Scouts just did their Scouting For Food Drive, but bags were not put out in Bismarck. We are hoping people will fill the sacks with canned food items and we will come back and pick them up on Dec. 6. If someone has some donations they would like to make they can call me at 573-747-8234.”
Dane said when someone comes into the food pantry they will fill out a form telling how many people they have in their household and what their needs are. The pantry has taken the approach that it isn’t going to refuse anybody.
The pantry will also have food available from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“That food is a little more regulated as to who can get it,” Dane said. “We have to keep strict records on that.”
Dane said he took on the job as the director of the food pantry because he has a vision of helping the needy in the community.
“I want to help eliminate the hunger problem we have here,” he said.
When the food pantry opens it will be open from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.
“Anyone will be able to come in and fill out an application,” he said. “Like the store, we are asking people to help us and donate.”
Mayberry said he feels the new ministry is in a unique position because it’s not affiliated with any one church.
“We are not under any organization’s or anyone’s control,” he said. “We are not a branch of anything. This is totally community driven.”
The food pantry is located at 911 Cedar Street in Bismarck.
Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at ccline@dailyjournalonline.com.
In addition to the food pantry, the ministry is also opening up a free store/donation center next door. Bismarck Mayor Dennis Mayberry is on the board of directors for the new ministry and is also the director of the free store.
“This has been a passion of mine for years,” Mayberry said. “I had served on the board of a different food pantry. For various reasons we decided to start our own. Several of us have a vision of this for quite some time. When the building became available we decided to seize the opportunity.”
The president of the ministry board is Steve Devine, the vice-president is Rick Thomure, the secretary/ treasurer is Leanna French and the board members are Bob Weldon and Mayberry.
Mayberry said the free store will offer clothing, household furnishings and toys.
“This is an avenue that we can use to get these items to the people who need them,” he said. “We are supplying a place that they can come to and get the things they need and not have to worry about it. Anything not moved or taken within 30 days will be boxed up and sent to the Larry Rice Ministries.”
The free store will be operated in building space donated by Grisham Real Estate.
Mayberry feels the free store is unique because people will be able to go to the food pantry to get the groceries that they need and then they will be able to go next door and get the other items that they need.
“It’s kind of like going to Wal-Mart,” he said. “As we get our message out there, we are getting more and more volunteers. Everybody wants to get on board with this because it’s truly a good thing that is going to help a lot of people.”
Mayberry said by next year he hopes to have raised $5,000 that can go toward assisting people with their utility bills.
“This money would be used to help people who are facing having their utilities shut off,” he said. “I want to let everyone know that the free store is not restricted to Bismarck residents. This is a community thing and is open to anyone in need. We want to reach out to a large area. For the people that need it, the stuff will be free.”
Mayberry said the store needs donations from businesses and individuals.
“Anyone who wishes to donate items can call me at 573-518-5114,” Mayberry said. “When a family’s house burns down and they lose everything they had, this is what this place is all about. We are here to help people.”
Mike Dane, the director of the food pantry, said he hopes to have the food pantry up and running by Christmas. The pantry is located in a building donated by Weldon. Dane has planned a canned food drive for Nov. 29 to help kick off the pantry.
“We are going to go around to residences and businesses in Bismarck and put bags out,” he said. “Similar to what the Cub Scouts do. We know the Cub Scouts just did their Scouting For Food Drive, but bags were not put out in Bismarck. We are hoping people will fill the sacks with canned food items and we will come back and pick them up on Dec. 6. If someone has some donations they would like to make they can call me at 573-747-8234.”
Dane said when someone comes into the food pantry they will fill out a form telling how many people they have in their household and what their needs are. The pantry has taken the approach that it isn’t going to refuse anybody.
The pantry will also have food available from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“That food is a little more regulated as to who can get it,” Dane said. “We have to keep strict records on that.”
Dane said he took on the job as the director of the food pantry because he has a vision of helping the needy in the community.
“I want to help eliminate the hunger problem we have here,” he said.
When the food pantry opens it will be open from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.
“Anyone will be able to come in and fill out an application,” he said. “Like the store, we are asking people to help us and donate.”
Mayberry said he feels the new ministry is in a unique position because it’s not affiliated with any one church.
“We are not under any organization’s or anyone’s control,” he said. “We are not a branch of anything. This is totally community driven.”
The food pantry is located at 911 Cedar Street in Bismarck.
Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at ccline@dailyjournalonline.com.
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