THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 17, 1995 TAG: 9512150209
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Susie Stoughton
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
Nancy Kriigel isn't sure how to break the news, but the cache of foot powder has been depleted.
For years, Kriigel - volunteer coordinator of the food pantry at The Ebenezer House - thought the supply was endless. After a local drug store closed, the owners had donated a case of the powder - enough to sprinkle on feet about forever, it seemed.
Kriigel gave a container to all who came for food - ``a bonus,'' she said. ``Get a bag of food, and get some foot powder.''
Every month, the board of directors of Franklin Cooperative Ministry would jokingly ask, ``How's that supply of foot powder, Nancy?''
She would assure them it was fine, all the time wondering how they'd ever get rid of it all. As always, they were grateful for the donation, but a case goes a long way.
Now the food bags contain only main-dish meals like beef stew, boxes of pasta and cans of soups and vegetables.
A young mother who recently received a food donation smiled broadly when she saw the Jell-O and noodles Kriigel handed her. She was so grateful that she didn't even notice the missing foot powder.
``My babies will love this,'' she said, her face beaming.
The cooperative aims to help struggling families in Franklin and Southampton and Isle of Wight counties. Requests for help have increased since the weather has gotten colder.
``People have to make a decision: Do I have heat or do I have food?'' said Kriigel, a member of Franklin Presbyterian Church, where the food pantry originated.
But like Samuel who named a stone ``Ebenezer'' because the Lord helped him in his battle against the Philistines, struggling families find help in this Ebenezer - from the Hebrew for ``stone of the help.''
The ministry depends on donations.
``This community is fantastic,'' Kriigel said. ``I say I need something, and it's here.''
While she packed bags of food, a woman was sorting through clothes in the front room, looking for something for her two young children.
No referrals are needed for clothing.
``We're not into heavy-duty screening,'' said Mary Beth Bergeron, who heads the ministry's board of directors. ``If people attempt to deceive us by saying they have a larger family than they have, basically, we say we're not hurt by that.''
But coats are so scarce that Mildred Burgess and Mildred Eubanks, who coordinate the clothes closet, limit recipients to one coat.
``We need children's winter clothes and coats,'' said Burgess, a member of Hunterdale United Church of Christ. ``And we can always use men's clothes and ladies' large sizes.''
Bergeron, a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church, helped form Franklin Cooperative Ministry five years ago, combining a clothes closet that had outgrown its quarters at Franklin Baptist Church and the food pantry at Franklin Presbyterian.
Franklin Congregational Christian Church offered the house on Middle Street.
Since the ministry started, the programs have expanded to include vouchers for hot meals at Fred's Restaurant and food staples at Food Lion. The services are provided year-round, not just during the Christmas season.
``Folks know they have some place to turn,'' Bergeron said.
But there may be others who do not know they can get help at The Ebenezer House, she said.
The volunteer effort can assist people who need food or clothes.
And if someone really needs some foot powder, the organizers will try to locate some more. MEMO: The Ebenezer House, at 505 Middle St., Franklin, is open the first and
third Wednesday each month, 1-3 p.m. in the winter and 9-11 a.m. in the
summer, for people seeking assistance or bringing donations. For more
information, call Bergeron at 562-6806 or contact any local minister or
social worker.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SUSIE STOUGHTON
Mildred Burgess, left, and Nancy Kriigel take stock of clothes and
food at The Ebenezer House in Franklin. Items will be donated to the
needy.
by CNB