2010 – A VERY GOOD YEAR -- 10, 204 POUNDS PROVIDED TO CROSSROADS EAST FOOD BANK

Due to the continuing generosity of GPUC members, Crossroads East Food Bank received our most bountiful harvest of food ever! The total pounds of food we provided to Crossroads was: 10,204, or 5.1 tons in 2010! We’ve used the term “provided” to Crossroads, because our service to them expanded this past year during the rebuilding of the Village Kroger. The Kroger store on Kercheval has always delivered surplus breads to Crossroads many times per week. Soon after its demolition, the volunteers at Crossroads gave us an “SOS” plea. They were desperately in need of help for a source of bread.

After communicating with Paul Stavale, the manager of the Kroger on Mack near Vernier, he accommodated us with the opportunity to pick up bread on Saturdays. Beginning in April, a total of 27 trips were made on Saturdays to pick up bread and then deliver it to Crossroads the following Mondays. This accounts for 2,330 pounds of bread that would otherwise not have made its way to Crossroads during construction. Paul is now the manager of the new Kroger on Kercheval, so we are now restarting bread pickups on Saturday mornings from the Village location.

In addition to the bread runs, we have had a generous donor (outside of GPUC) provide us with funds for food purchase. When he learned what we do, he asked, “How can I help?” Throughout the year, he’s given significant amounts of cash that went to purchase high-protein foods.

Our monthly collections  were phenomenal! Everyone’s help is needed to make a difference, and every single donation is so appreciated.

  For the first time this year, we purchased  over 200 toothbrushes and small toothpaste tubes for Crossroads. This has been an item often asked for and always in short supply. Crossroads makes “hygiene kits,” and they are always in need of these items. By buying in bulk, the cost of the combination of a new toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste together was about 40 cents.  The  volunteers were beside themselves when they saw how many we carried in.

We’ve managed to make a gigantic impact on the lives of those who rely on Crossroads for the helping hand they need so much. We’re already back at it in 2011. Thank you for all you have done, given, and will continue to do to help in this wonderful goodwill journey for our neighbors.

-- Janet and Larry Peplin for Crossroads East Outreach