As the holidays approach, a local organization continues its mission of providing non-perishable food items to local residents in need.

“This is an important service,” said Sandra Mullinax, associate director of the Christian Love Pantry.

The Christian Love Pantry is a non-profit organization that provides non-perishable food items to individuals and families in need in St. Clair County.

Mullinax said the service is important every year, especially during the holidays.

“Many individuals are out of work this year due to the economy, and this may be the first time they have had to ask for help,” she said. “Having to ask for help can be very hard on people. Many of them didn’t think they would ever be in the position of having to ask for help, and it’s hard.”

Peggy Hooker and Linda Robinson, volunteers at the Christian Love Pantry, said the holidays seem especially busy.

“We see a lot of people who have lost their jobs,” said Donna Sargent, volunteer at the Christian Love Pantry.

Sargent said it is often hard for individuals to ask for help.

“A lot of times the person has to put aside their pride and do what is best for their family and accept help,” she said.

Sargent said she tries to be uplifting as she helps the families in need.

“It does my heart a world of good to volunteer here,” she said. “We see people for such a wide variety of things such as unemployment or illnesses, and a wide range of people.”

Sargent said residents of all ages and races receive assistance from the Christian Love Pantry.

Mullinax said there is a list of core food items the Christian Love Pantry needs on a regular basis.

The Christian Love Pantry food list includes oatmeal, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, Treet (meat similar to Spam), spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, tuna fish, Tuna Helper, Vienna sausage, grits, juice, tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, jelly, soup, pork and beans, mayonnaise, beef stew, corn, fruit, rice, flour, corn meal, crackers, apple sauce, and ramen noodles.

“Last year, we were lucky enough to receive donated turkeys to pass along to families for Thanksgiving,” she said. “We are hoping to do that again this year.”

Mullinax said the Christian Love Pantry can use donated turkeys or hams, but has limited freezer space.

“We try to give out holiday-type meals for the 10-day period before Thanksgiving and Christmas,” she said.

Mullinax said if individuals donate the turkeys or hams between Nov. 16-26 it would help save freezer space because of the volume of meals given out to families in need.

“If anyone has free turkey or ham coupons (such as employer-given coupons) that they don’t want, we will gladly take those as well,” she said.

Mullinax said the coupons are easier logistically, however all donations are gratefully accepted.

“We also try to pass along items for the traditional Thanksgiving meal such as cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, onion topping for green bean casserole, and those type items, so those donations would also be greatly appreciated,” she said. “And items like coffee and tea are requested by many individuals, and we can use cake mixes and icing for birthdays.”

Mullinax said cash donations are also needed and appreciated.

“If any companies or schools are looking to host a food drive, we receive about 20-percent of our food from those food drives,” she said.

Mullinax said Sharon Thomas is the Christian Love Pantry Food Drive coordinator, and can be reached at 205-365-8875.

“We live in a great community of caring people,” she said. “When there is a need, the community comes through and fills that need.”

For more information or to donate, call Christian Love Pantry director Mike Carr at 205-527-4217 or the Christian Love Pantry at 205-338-2358. Checks may be made payable to Christian Love Pantry and mailed to 205 Edwin Holliday Place, Pell City, AL 35125.