Community Foundation helps with Brother Van SOS

Van Orsdel United Methodist Church will get assistance keeping its food pantry stocked with help from a Hill County Community Foundation grant.

The foundation presented a $500 check to the Rev. Willam "Mac" McGrew pastor at Van Orsdel, and church Secretary Edna Gregory Wednesday that will be used to keep the food pantry filled.

Gregory, also a member of Van Orsdel's SOS Committee which runs the pantry, said so far this year 650 people have come to the church seeking food and hygiene products from the pantry.

"It's (for) people, they are out of food right now for some reason or another and they have no food in their pantry, This at least lets them feed their family for a few days," she said.

The pantry, she said, depends on momentary and food donations from Van Orsdel members and the public.

Each person or family who comes to the pantry for help receives a main dish, canned fruit and canned vegetable and a protein food product, Gregory said.

People can donate to the pantry by stopping at Gregory's office at the church.

Van Orsdel was one of four organizations to receive a $500 grant this year. Each grant awarded touches on at least one of three areas - community beautification, arts and culture, and basic human needs.

Foundation Chair Pam Veis said at the check passing that the food pantry falls under the category of basic human needs

Other grant recipients were 90.1 KNMC, which in cooperation with the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce created an interactive, online calendar for community events; Our Savior Lutheran Church to offer bead work classes in Box Elder so individuals can create and sell traditional American Indian beadwork, and the Havre Chamber to increase the electrical capacity on Town Square.