Food insecurity is a significant concern for many communities around our diocese. The town of Caledonia is no different.
We are fortunate that Caledonia has an excellent food bank. The community supports it with regular collections and food drives, yet we are all concerned that the needs last year were up 30% from the previous year. As costs increase, income always seems to shrink. Community meals— free or ‘pay as you can’—are available during the week. Several unhoused individuals have presented at the local food bank, at community meals, and on the doorsteps of local churches.
Over the winter, the Caledonia Presbyterian Church collected sleeping bags and blankets, food and hygiene supplies for several unhoused individuals. Most popular item? Socks and hand warmers. Think about it: when your hands and feet are cold, the rest of the body can’t be warm.
A year ago, a discussion about a Community Pantry began. The unhoused have few resources available to them. Not everyone can access the food bank. Many families need a little support now and then. And the food bank isn’t open every day.
Eventually, the conversations led to a public meeting, with an invitation going out to the community at large via social media and word of mouth. A group of concerned citizens responded. Some represented churches or other community groups, while many were there simply because they cared and wanted to help as they could.
Using a model learned from a similar group in Paris, Ontario, the folks around the table planned a community pantry, which was magnificently constructed by the Special Projects Committee from the Chamber of Commerce. The pantry itself is in the parking lot behind the Caledonia Presbyterian Church, which is centrally located on the main street of town. The location is quiet and private.
The formal launch took place on Monday evening, June 1, 2025. A team of volunteers in rotation check and restocks the pantry daily, with non-perishable, unopened food staples. These include canned foods and pasta sauces, dry goods such as pasta or cereal, sealed snacks, nut butters, boxed milk, juice boxes and bottled water, baby food, and baking mixes. Dry or canned pet food is also welcome. Restrictions include no glass containers, no homemade food, nothing containing alcohol, no medications and no sharp objects or tools. A separate list of supplies will pertain to winter. The list makes provisions for pets, too.
An ancient Latin chant. ‘Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est’ translates as ‘Where love and charity are found, there is God.’ I can think of no better example of God’s Love than this selfless mission of kindness. The Reverend
Community Kindness Matters
Food insecurity is a significant concern for many communities around our diocese. The town of Caledonia is no different.
We are fortunate that Caledonia has an excellent food bank. The community supports it with regular collections and food drives, yet we are all concerned that the needs last year were up 30% from the previous year. As costs increase, income always seems to shrink. Community meals— free or ‘pay as you can’—are available during the week. Several unhoused individuals have presented at the local food bank, at community meals, and on the doorsteps of local churches.
Over the winter, the Caledonia Presbyterian Church collected sleeping bags and blankets, food and hygiene supplies for several unhoused individuals. Most popular item? Socks and hand warmers. Think about it: when your hands and feet are cold, the rest of the body can’t be warm.
A year ago, a discussion about a Community Pantry began. The unhoused have few resources available to them. Not everyone can access the food bank. Many families need a little support now and then. And the food bank isn’t open every day.
Eventually, the conversations led to a public meeting, with an invitation going out to the community at large via social media and word of mouth. A group of concerned citizens responded. Some represented churches or other community groups, while many were there simply because they cared and wanted to help as they could.
Using a model learned from a similar group in Paris, Ontario, the folks around the table planned a community pantry, which was magnificently constructed by the Special Projects Committee from the Chamber of Commerce. The pantry itself is in the parking lot behind the Caledonia Presbyterian Church, which is centrally located on the main street of town. The location is quiet and private.
The formal launch took place on Monday evening, June 1, 2025. A team of volunteers in rotation check and restocks the pantry daily, with non-perishable, unopened food staples. These include canned foods and pasta sauces, dry goods such as pasta or cereal, sealed snacks, nut butters, boxed milk, juice boxes and bottled water, baby food, and baking mixes. Dry or canned pet food is also welcome. Restrictions include no glass containers, no homemade food, nothing containing alcohol, no medications and no sharp objects or tools. A separate list of supplies will pertain to winter. The list makes provisions for pets, too.
An ancient Latin chant. ‘Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est’ translates as ‘Where love and charity are found, there is God.’ I can think of no better example of God’s Love than this selfless mission of kindness. The Reverend
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