Hawley Lions aid seven food pantries in Lakes region

HAWLEY — Real lions, the furry, four-footed kind, aren't known for sharing food. When it comes to the Hawley Lake Wallenpaupack Lion's Club, part of what makes them "roar" is the chance to give to area food pantries. At their June meeting, they announced another $10,000 for seven local organizations giving food to anyone in need.

Checks for this annual donation were distributed to 1st Presbyterian Church, Hawley; St. Luke Lutheran Church, Greeley; Lakeville Food Pantry and Growing Lackawaxen (Care Cabin food pantry) at the June 16th Lions' meeting. Checks were also going to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hawley; Queen of Peace Parish, Hawley; and Wallenpaupack Our Kid's Food Pantry to benefit their food distribution program.

President Jean Nixon of the Hawley Lions said that they continue to raise funds and collect food donations. Members volunteer to sit at the Lake Region IGA, Honesdale Walmart and Dave's Super Duper market in Honesdale, accepting contributions.

The money given out was collected throughout 2021, Lions Treasurer Judy Potratz said.

Long-time Lions member Ann Morgan coordinates the pantry drive. Nixon said it takes the "leadership and devotion of some special people" to provide for the pantries.

Representatives of the recipient organizations present remarked on the work their pantries do.

Pantries in Lakes region provide necessary service

Rev. Mark Juengel, 1st Presbyterian Church, Hawley, said that the church at 815 Church Street has a "Freezer Ministry" where frozen meals are kept and distributed to people in need. They also give out non-perishable food items. They also host Good News Cafe', a free fellowship luncheon on the second and fourth Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take-out meals are provided. For more information call 570-226-4835 or email fpoffice@ptd.net.

Anne Schmalzle, representing the food pantry program at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Greeley, said they give out food on the first Sunday of the month. In addition to the staples they provide, summer camps are known to make generous donations of what she called "fancy foods" including cakes and cookies. Their main fundraiser has been a popular lasagna dinner twice a year, although this has been interrupted by the COVID pandemic. The church is at 220 Route 590, Greeley. For information call 570-685-4221.

Growing Lackawaxen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Lackawaxen Township, operates the Care Cabin food pantry on the township property at 169 Urban Road. Jeffrey Thompson, President, said that the pantry serves 60 to 80 families. They also serve 25 military families. He noted that Masthope Mountain and Fawn Lake Forest communities provide "robust help." The pantry is normally open on the fourth Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. For more information call 570-685-2273 or email growinglackawaxen@gmail.com.

Lakeville Food Pantry is one of five locations in the Wayne County Food Pantry Program providing nutritious shelf staples each month. Dave and Carol Carroll represented the pantry which is located at the Paupack Township municipal building, 25 Daniels Road, Lakeville. They currently have a drive-through distribution on the third Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. They are serving 85 to 90 families. Private donations and the US Department of Agriculture provide the food. Paupack Township also has a container on site for anyone to bring scrap metal; the township contributes the proceeds from the sale of the metal to the food pantry. Call 570-253-4262 for information about Wayne County Food Pantry Program.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 405 Church St., Hawley, operates their food pantry on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information call 570-226-2411 or email spelc@ptd.net.

For information about the food pantry at Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Peace Parish, call 570-226-3183 or email parishsecretary@queenofpeacehawley.com. The church is located at 314 Church St., Hawley.

Wallenpaupack Our Kid's Food Pantry is coordinated by Teacher Assistant Rosemary Martynuk, who started the pantry in 2018. Martynuk recently said that they give out special food boxes at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, spending around $5,000 each time. This past March they distributed 254 bags of food to students who were in need. Our Kid's Food Pantry is located in each of the district's five schools and is entirely funded by donations. For more information contact Mrs. Martynuk at 570-226-4557, ext. 5242.

Hawley Lions live up to 'We Serve' motto

Potratz stated that the local Lions Club also responds during the year when there is family of need with a donation for food. The Lions also provide funds for eyeglasses and hearing aids. These are seen as means that the local club follows the Lions Club International's motto of "We Serve."

Hawley Lake Wallenpaupack Lions have their monthly meeting at the 1st Presbyterian Church hall in Hawley.For more information on the Hawley Lions Club, contact Judy Potratz by calling 570-493-2100 or email judypotratz@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Hawley Lions to make $10K donation to Pike, Wayne food pantries