Photo courtesy of Adrienne Fly
The dedicated volunteers who manage the food pantry at Trinity Church, 600 N. Euclid, have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season. Two thousand, one-hundred & twenty-six cans and packages of food were delivered to the church on Tuesday by 4th graders from Old Bonhomme School in the Ladue School District. The 350-member student body (kindergarten through grade 4) was photographed earlier that morning, as they assembled for their Annual Giving Assembly, now in its 32nd year. The grade school's generous tradition has provided food, newborn clothing for the St. Louis Crisis Nursery, and backpacks filled with school supplies for those less fortunate.
Photo courtesy of Adrienne Fly
On Tuesday morning the 4th graders carried the school's donations into the hall at Trinity Church.
In high spirits after their work was done, some agreed to pose for a photo before boarding the bus and heading back to school.
A team of volunteers led by Adrienne Fly, far left, Coordinator of Trinity Food Ministry, was in equally high spirits as they sorted and shelved the donation which will restock the food pantry's larder. Adrienne said that the food program has seen a 20 to 25% increase in those seeking help in the last month alone because of the cut in food stamps and the government shut down.
Another angel – this one closer to home – is Philip Shipman, above (photographed with Adrienne) proprietor of the Philip Johnson Salon, 4581 Laclede. Each year, on the occasion of the salon's holiday party, clients and friends bring food items for Trinity's Food Pantry. The 2013 event occurred Monday evening and on Tuesday afternooon, Adrienne and volunteer Ella Chapman (not pictured) stopped by to collect 200 cans of food from the salon. As Adrienne said, "That donation, in addition to the 2126 items from Old Bonhomme School, will go a long way in helping us provide for the 800 or so folks who stop by the pantry for food each month! A big day at Trinity Church!"
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!