Ste. Gen. Rotary Club Organizes Food Drive For St. Vincent De Paul

Ste. Genevieve County residents have the opportunity to help stock the shelves of the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry on this weekend at two locations — Rozier’s Country Mart and Save-A-Lot grocery stores.

Collections will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, February 15, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 16, at both locations.

The Ste. Genevieve Rotary Club, a long-standing service organization, is organizing the food drive.

“There are several food drives throughout the year that help support St. Vincent de Paul, but at this time of year, there’s a lull in the action, so to speak,” said Brian Keim, president of the Ste. Genevieve Rotary Club. “Pantry shelves typically reach critically low levels at this time of year.”

During the food drive, any item will be appreciated, but St. Vincent de Paul has provided a list of some of the most needed items. They include: tuna, SpaghettiOs, ravioli, Hamburger Helper,                                                    canned stew, peanut butter, peaches, mixed fruit, pineapple, Jell-O, soups, canned potatoes, pancake mix, pork and beans, chili beans, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, peas, corn, green beans, carrots, cake mixes, tooth paste, deodorant (men’s and women’s) and toilet paper.

The Rotary Club also will accept monetary donations to benefit the project, which is an annual winter event.

“There are plenty of people who don’t have enough to eat,” Keim said. “We’re a strong community and we support one another. If everyone gives just a little, it will help a lot, and we can get this food pantry replenished.”

The Ste. Genevieve Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at noon at the Rozier’s Country Mart party/meeting room.

(Information in a release from the Rotary Club.)