The Mapleton Lions Club and Mapleton Daze Committee are working together to solve community food insecurity.
Both groups have recognized the need for a larger, heated area to store food products, and are planning a new building to house the pantry.
The cabinet began several years ago as a box placed outside, in front of the town office. Local churches and other groups in town made donations. Over time, the food needs of local residents outgrew the small box, so the town allowed for the placement of two small sets of shelves in the unheated community room entrance where more food could be made available.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The only restriction was the food had to be dry food that could not be ruined due to the lack of heating in the entryway. Over the years there have been some small food drives at the churches and other community events such as Mapleton Daze.
Three years ago the Lions became concerned about the ups and downs of food donations, and approved three food donations of $400 for the pantry. In an effort spearheaded by the late Dennis Hoffses, members shopped and brought food donations to the pantry. They were assisted by Sue Skidgell, who has volunteered to coordinate donations and food placement since the beginning of the Community Cabinet.
The club two years ago continued the donations between October and April, and this past winter increased its monthly purchases and will come close to $6,000 for the season.
The Mapleton Daze Committee has also been concerned about the food insecurity in Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. three communities. They have held food drives and made donations, but over the winter decided the pantry needed a heated location that would allow for refrigerated and frozen food donations as well as other canned and bottled items that could be offered to those in need.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Members decided to construct a small pantry building that could meet these needs. They knew the Lions supported the pantry and reached out to the club with the idea of uniting to resolve food availability and expanded needs.
Mapleton Daze Committee Chair Lynnelle Foster met with the club and proposed the construction of a year-round building for the pantry, which the Lions encouraged.
At the Lions’ April 6 meeting, John Nelson and Foster presented an initial proposed building plan for the project. The committee has begun soliciting donations of material, volunteer labor and funds to build a 14 X 24 building that will be located next to the town office.
With support of the Lions Club, the project will move forward with a proposed opening date of June 28, which will be last day of this year’s Mapleton Daze summer celebration.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The Mapleton Daze group is spearheading construction, while the Lions will continue to purchase and supply food for the pantry. They will also assist in finding other donors for this project.
If you are interested in helping with the new Mapleton Community Cabinet, please contact Lynnelle Foster or John Nelson of the Mapleton Daze Committee or any member of the Mapleton Lions Club.
Spring fundraising
The Mapleton Daze Trash 2 Treasure and Craft Fair was held April 4. The committee thanks all who attended.
They also held a spaghetti benefit dinner on April 11.
There is one more fundraiser for Mapleton Daze and that is their community breakfast, to held at the Mapleton Lions Hall on Saturday, May 4. The breakfast will be a full buffet.
Registration open
Parents are encouraged to visit the MSAD 1 website for information on kindergarten registration at Mapleton Elementary School. Student registration is now open.
Annual charity auction
The Mapleton Lions Club slated its annual charity auction for Saturday, May 16, at the Mapleton Lions Community Hall. The auction is the Lions’ largest fundraising activity and funds the club’s many charitable activities.
A supper will be held prior to the auction. Everyone is invited to dine at the club and then come to the auction to help support the work of the Mapleton Lions Club in our three communities.
Terry Sandusky is The County’s correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
