MarionMade!: Volunteers fill trunks and bellies with produce

Special to the Marion Star
·3 min read

Each week, this series shares MarionMade! stories of our many wonderful people, places, products and programs in the greater Marion community. To read more positive stories of Marion, or to share some of your own, visit us at marionmade.org or on social media.

For about a decade, dozens of volunteers come to Waldo on the first Friday morning of each month to help local people in need fill up a trunk with free, fresh produce from the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

“Every month, we get between 8,000 and 12,000 pounds of produce,” said volunteer Jim Wellhausen of Cardington.

The free produce distribution is held on the first Friday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. It is a partnership among many local churches, Lutheran Social Services and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.
The free produce distribution is held on the first Friday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. It is a partnership among many local churches, Lutheran Social Services and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

While tons of tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, onions and other fresh produce seem massive, the need has never been greater. People line up several hours before it opens.

“I’ve never seen how many cars as we did last month. We had 310 cars last month. I’ve never seen it like that. None of us had,” Wellhausen said. “There are people who borrow cars to come in there. We see people who are in dire straits.”

Last month, the volunteers served 266 families. Unfortunately, the produce ran out and they had to turn away about 50 cars.

“That’s what kind of breaks our hearts,” Wellhausen said.

The seniors, parents and children who do receive groceries are appreciative.

“They are all so thankful. It puts a smile on my face,” Wellhausen said.

Residents waited for hours to receive free, fresh produce at All Occasions Catering in Waldo on April 20. The distribution is open to anyone making 200% of the federal poverty level or less. No proof of income is required. Attendees should bring identification.
Residents waited for hours to receive free, fresh produce at All Occasions Catering in Waldo on April 20. The distribution is open to anyone making 200% of the federal poverty level or less. No proof of income is required. Attendees should bring identification.

The food is available to everyone living at 200% of the federal poverty level or less.

“Anyone in need is welcome to come,” said volunteer Jackie Price. “It’s not just for Waldo — it’s for everybody.”

Price, a retired nurse from Waldo, manages registration. Originally, St. Paul’s Lutheran in Waldo hosted the giveaway. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased demand, they changed it to a drive-through. Hal Clase, the owner of All-Occasions Catering, volunteers his facility every month for free.

“Hal has been terrific. He really bent over backwards to help us. He doesn’t charge us anything,” Wellhausen said. “There would be no way we could get that many cars into the small church parking lot.”

Now, families stay in their cars to register and wait for volunteers to put the boxes of produce in their trunks. The volunteers form a well-oiled machine.

“I’ve got the best volunteers anyone could ask for,” Wellhausen said. “We have a good crew. Almost all of us are retirees. We know how to work. I’m truly blessed with the volunteers that I have. They have good hearts.”

About 30 volunteers, almost all senior citizens, box and distributed about 10 tons of fresh food each month year-round. They invite more volunteers, including those who are computer-savvy to assist with registration.
About 30 volunteers, almost all senior citizens, box and distributed about 10 tons of fresh food each month year-round. They invite more volunteers, including those who are computer-savvy to assist with registration.

These faithful seniors do need more hands.

“We really need more volunteers, especially those who are computer literate. In the winter, many volunteers go to Florida. In the summer, some of our regular volunteers go on vacation. One time, three or four of us had to have surgery,” Wellhausen said.

The time invested in helping others has its own rewards.

“You go away tired, but you go away with a smile,” Wellhausen said.

The Fresh Food Distribution is held on the first Friday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at All Occasions Catering, 6989 Waldo-Delaware Road in Waldo. The next one will be held on Friday. It is a cooperative effort from many local churches including St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waldo, Peace Community United Church of Christ, Emanuel Lutheran Church in Marion, Trinity Lutheran in Marion, St. Paul’s Lutheran in Marion and others in partnership with Lutheran Social Services and the Mid-Ohio Food Collaborative.

For more information or to make a donation, contact St. Paul’s Lutheran Church by mail at PO Box 162, Waldo, Ohio 43356; call 740-726-2770; or email stpwaldo@gmail.com. More information can also be found at stpaulswaldo.com or on Facebook.

Logos Christian Ministries also has a free produce pantry on the third Saturday of the month at 582 Lee St., from noon to 2 p.m. in partnership with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective from April through December. For more information, contact Pastor Jackie Peterson at 740-223-1515, email jackiep0927@yahoo.com or visit logoschrisitianministries.com or their Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Volunteers fill trunks and bellies with produce