Pinckneyville High School students collect 1,500 items for food pantry

"Praise God!" beamed Least of the Brethren Food Pantry director George Culley as students from the Family Careers and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club at he Pinckneyville High School stacked boxes of food onto the tables at he local food pantry Wednesday.

Culley and wife Betty were doing the math in their heads as the food just kept coming.

"Let's see, 1500 food items ought to take care of about 60 people this week," Culley said.

"Praise God. I can't thank you enough," he said.

The food pantry feeds about 300 families (900 people a month) from its three-year old distribution center at 407 South Douglas Street.

Years ago the building was the home of the neighborhood Gann & Bender grocery store.

Today, it's the home of Least of the Brethren Ministries where food is distributed to the community and worship services are held.

A helium filled heart-shaped balloon is tied to one of the pews which mirrors the love and sense of purpose at Least of the Brethren.

"When did you start this, George?," asked wife Betty. "About 18 years ago," he said.

The food pantry receives food from the St. Louis-area food bank, from large corporate sponsor like Walmart art and from food drives held throughout the year across Perry County.

"It's harder to get food, yes, it is," said Culley as some of the large corporate donations have fallen off in recent years.

But, the intrepid Culleys always find a way to feed a community in these uncertain times.

Four classes at the high school worked alongside the FCCLA during the week-long food drive. One class collected 687 food items by itself.

The food pantry is always grateful for the food and cash donations. You can contact Least of the Brethren ministries at (618) 357-9530