NEIGHBORS: Pleasantville church reaches out to help those in need

By Jill R. Wilkes Jeannie Sowders (left) and Joan O'Haver look over the items at the Pleasantville Methodist Church food pantry. The food pantry is open the second and fourth Saturday of every month. [Order this photo]

PLEASANTVILLE -- The members of the small community Pleasantville Methodist Church have taken on the task of reaching out to their neighbors in need.

"It's obvious that there is a need right here in our own community, people right next door to us need a helping hand. Many times we walk right by and don't know that people need help or even how to help. We don't mean to, it just happens in this busy world," explained Dick Goodman, co-founder of the church's food pantry.

The church members collect donations from church members, community members and even involving students from Dugger Elementary School and Union High School. They also work with Catholic Charities out of Terre Haute to get supplies at reasonable prices.

The food pantry is open the second and fourth Saturdays of every month and any family in the community may receive benefits of food, cleaning supplies and toiletries once a month according to federal regulations. The pantry is located in the building behind the church just off of State Road 159 in Pleasantville.

"I have gone to this church my entire life and we have been searching for something we needed to do to reach out and help our community," explained co-founder John Hale of Pleasantville. "It was wonderful how everyone here just jumped on the idea. The need right now is nationwide, not just in this area, we are seeing more struggles everywhere. One thing we discussed early on is getting the kids involved. Charity starts in the young mind and builds as an adult. Dick (Goodman) just jumped on the idea and got Dugger schools involved. Pleasantville is out here by itself and bringing in Dugger schools helps build unity for this community.

"Our goal was to start in November 2008 and we had three days of giving out food because of Thanksgiving. It gets harder to get donations after the holiday season, but we really feel like bringing this together has built a big enthusiasm in our church and our community. It has been very successful and everyone has jumped in and helped even ones who do not attend our church. One member took up money at work, which was in Bicknell, and collected over $40 for toiletries. I myself have had several people offer me money and assistance for the pantry. This charity is spreading even out of our area and that is a great thing."

The project helps bring young and old together for a common cause.

"This is a really good thing in many ways. We have had a lot of youth work the food pantry and it is good for them to see that they can help others and other need help. It helps make responsible and caring adults to start young. It also brings the church and community together. We have had our setbacks, like getting broken into a few weeks back, but we have bounced back and worked together. It is important to help our community, especially in times of unemployment and that is why I want to be here every week," stated church member Charlie Seaton of Linton.

"The (Dugger) school kids really helped with their donations. This week is the most food we have had to provide people because of the students. Normally we have only about a third of what we have today. It is great to get the kids involved."

Getting the schools involved has helped a lot.

"In a six-week period, through two collection drives, the Dugger schools provided us with over 450 cans and goods. That will provide 10 families with food for several weeks. We are involved with the Catholic Ministries in Terre Haute and since they receive federal funds we also have to keep records and be regulated. We have to prove that the food goes to who it needs to. We have to be inspected and everything," explained Goodman.

The pantry recently served 130 individuals in 43 families in January 2009 and 109 individuals in 29 families in February.

"We started with nothing and this community has come together to create this wonderful opportunity to help our neighbors in need. We do not use church monies to fund this project. I want this to survive on its own and eventually it will probably die on its own, but for now the need is great and the help has been much. It is amazing how everyone just giving a little has come together to create this. People realize this is really needed right now and want to reach out and help us and their neighbor," concluded Goodman.