Donation helps two Blooomfield organizations

By Anna Rochelle SEASON OF GIVING: On behalf of the Pamida Foundation, Bloomfield Pamida Store Manager Judy Hammond (center) presented generous checks to Bloomfield's Community Food Pantry represented by Joe and Jean Burcham (left) and the Family Life Center represented by Dianne Langer (right). Both organizations say the money will help make Christmas brighter for families in need.

Two organizations in Bloomfield got an early Christmas present from the Pamida Foundation to help in their efforts to make the holiday season a little merrier for those in need.

Dianne Langer, director of the Family Life Center, and Joe and Jean Burcham, representing the community food pantry sponsored by several Bloomfield churches, made a trip to the Bloomfield Pamida store this week to accept the generous checks presented by local Store Manager Judy Hammond.

Langer and the Burchams said the two organizations frequently communicate and work together to assist families in need.

Both said the money is going to make a big difference for many families this season and they appreciate the way Pamida gives back to the community.

Langer said the Family Life Center will use the money to supplement their program to provide toys and gifts for children.

The center will assist approximately 140 families during the holiday season.

"We're buying presents for lots of kids who have special needs and they need special gifts," said Langer. "The money will be used to shop for those children and buy that one gift that fits their specific needs."

Langer added that many are not being served by other agencies.

"These are kids that would get missed," said Langer.

At the community food pantry, where the Burchams are regular volunteers, the money will help provide 50 food baskets to area families and buy supplemental food for the pantry that is not usually donated during food drives.

The pantry is housed at the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield but is sponsored and supported by several churches in the community.

Joe Burcham said the pantry, open from 9-11:30 a.m. on Monday-Thursday, accepts walk-ins and they try to help everyone who comes in and says they need food.

"We hand out 60-75 bags of groceries a week average," said Burcham, adding that at times they give more.

"Last Wednesday, there were 11 families who came in on just that morning. Then we gave out 62 bags of food on just that one day."

The pantry also distributes government commodities and they receive meat from the local Greene County Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) program.

Hammond said the money for the donations comes from the Pamida Foundation but as store manager, she helps decide who will receive the holiday contributions.

The Pamida Corporation's home office is in Omaha, Neb. The Pamida Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of citizens in the more than 200 communities where Pamida does business, has funneled millions of dollars back into their communities since 2000.