“It may be that your sole purpose in life is to help other people, and that’s what you do.”

So said Thurman Fussell during a program he gave shortly before business of the 2009 Woodward Community Pantry annual meeting came to order.

Fussell’s words were pertinent because the pantry was founded to provide immediate, short-term food to people in crisis situations, which can range from fires to loss of employment to disabling accidents.

Most of the people served by the Woodward Community Pantry live in Woodward County and all are screened by the Department of Human Services or a church group before receiving assistance.

A large team of pantry volunteers take turns buying and delivering food for the families in need. The volunteers also work throughout the year to keep the pantry stocked.

Some of the pantry volunteers were honored during the pantry's annual meeting Thursday evening, including an award presented to Rosie Frech for her 20 years of service to the food pantry.

Another gift was awarded to Larry Hunt, who took over as the acting treasurer for the pantry board in the middle of the year.

Hunt was officially elected to the treasurer position during the business portion of the pantry's annual meeting.

In addition, Lilly Neal, Pat Shive, Loretta Cook and Karen Graves were elected as board members.

Hunt gave a brief tally of the pantry’s annual budget, noting that the net value as of Oct. 1 was $39,223 compared to $43,864 as of Oct. 1, 2008.

The pantry relies on the community for monetary donations as well as food donations.

Financial contributions by check should be mailed to Woodward Community Pantry, P.O. Box 281, Woodward, OK 73802. Food donations may be dropped at the pantry collection point at Ma and Pa Stitches at 304 Main or by arranging a meeting at the pantry site with one of the following volunteers:

Darla Reidlinger, 256-2920

Donna Olson, 256-2831

Karen Ansley, 254-1504

Pat Shive, 256-7108

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