[StBernard] St Bernard Residents Help Neighbors in Need

[Westley Annis]

St Bernard Residents Help Neighbors in Need
 

St Bernard residents have always been known for their willingness to give
back to the community, and the members of Curves St. Bernard are certainly
taking that message to heart. Over the past weeks they have collected more
than 1,500 pounds of canned meats, fruits, vegetables, soups and pasta for
the food pantry at the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St in
Arabi. 

"With the economy in such bad shape I didn't expect a great turnout, but the
members were very generous and excited about donating," notes Curves owner
Cheryl Renz. "This is the 12th year of the Curves International Annual Food
Drive, and we had a different food theme every week such as canned fruits
and vegetables, peanut butter and jelly, pastas and snacks. I am so proud of
everyone who gave and I'm even more proud that they're a part of my business
and my community. We're already looking forward to next year's Food Drive
and we'll work hard to exceed this year's incredible success."

The donated food will be distributed through the Community Center's Mustard
Seed food distribution program, which provides low-income families with
nonperishable food, cleaning supplies and personal care items.  In just the
past 3 months, the Mustard Seed program supplied 58,628 pounds of canned and
dried food to 1,996 local residents, including 519 children. And, according
to Iray Nabatoff, the center's Executive Director, the need is growing at an
alarming rate as the economy continues to worsen. 

"The situation is very serious, both in St. Bernard and elsewhere. According
to Feeding America, requests for food assistance are up about 30 percent
nationwide," Nabatoff said. "We're certainly grateful to everyone at Curves
St Bernard for helping us to keep our shelves stocked at this critical time
when more and more families are coming to us for food." For more information
about donating food to the Food Pantry at the Community Center of St
Bernard, or to enroll in the food pantry program, please visit
www.ccstb.org/mustardseed or phone 504.281.2512
<http://www.ccstb.org/mustardseed%20or%20phone%20504.281.2512> .


Sharon Ober
Community Center of St Bernard
504.281.2512
www.ccstb.org