Rotarian Dianne Moore with Jeanne Holden of the New Berlin Food Pantry
 
New Berlin Food Pantry helps needy families throughout the area
 
Founded in 1987, the New Berlin Food Panty serves needy families from New Berlin, Elm Grove and Brookfield. The food pantry is located inside the New Berlin Community Center, 14750 W. Cleveland Ave.
 
Jeanne Holden, our presenter on Nov. 13, 2013, has been with the food pantry since its inception. She said the food pantry serves 35-50 families each week, with more than 90 familes receiving aid during the Christmas season. Donations arrive from numerous sources, including churches, Sendik's Food Market, the Rotary Club of New Berlin, and other nonprofit organizations.
 
The food pantry moved into its current location, the site of the old library, in 2008. This has allowed the organization to serve an every-growing need. The food pantry has touched many lives over the years. Jeanne shared a number of stories with us.
 
The Food Pantry has containers for food collection all over New Berlin. They are always in need of personal products such as shampoo, conditioner, diapers and toothpaste. The Rotary Club of New New Berlin Rotary regularly donates gift cards at Christmas time. This year we will donate $1000 worth of gift cards to help those in need.
 
The Food Pantry's biggest event each year is the collection held the Saturday before Mother's Day. Postal carriers graciously pick up bags of donated goods and deliver them to the food pantry for sorting. We will help out from 2:00 - 6:00 pm that day in 2014, as they need a lot of helping hands!