New Food Pantry Awning Dedicated

Our Food Pantry has a pretty small reception area and can only handle a few clients at a time. So anyone waiting on their appointment has to wait outside the door until they’re able to be let in. While that isn’t too bad for a few months a year, through the winter and in the heat of the summer that can be a real issue. Not only does this awning provide them cover from the elements, whether is be sun, rain or snow, but it also gives them a bit of privacy from the street.

That’s where the supporters of OPEN M came into action. We started the process to build the awning this past winter and by mid-spring it was all wrapped up! With generous gifts from Montrose Zion United Methodist Church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Harry & Fran Donovan, Carolyn Hansinger and Bill & Susie Welker we were able to raise all the funds needed to build the structure. Our friends over at Truly Reaching You Ministries (T.R.Y. Ministries) helped us out with the actual construction of the shelter. Ed Brown was gracious enough to donate the concrete work to tie it all back to our building.

On July 30th OPEN M staff, board of directors and volunteers welcomed 175 of our neighbors for a parking lot cookout to celebrate and dedicate the awning and benches at the entry of our food pantry that was wrapped up earlier this summer. We grilled up plenty of burgers and dogs so everyone could have their fill and our friends at Holy Trinity Lutheran brought enough ice cream for everyone as well. Everyone left happy and full.

OPEN M and our clients are ever grateful for this shelter to protect our clients from the elements, thanks so much to all that have helped along the way!

Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Isaiah 58:7