Nobody goes hungry for the holidays

The Palmer Depot is many things to many people. At one time it was a railway stop. Now, it is the site of public meetings, holiday dances, religious services and local craft fairs. Last week the Palmer Depot was the food distribution center for 158 needy families.

Volunteers prepare the boxes and gifts. They sort food. They pack boxes. It goes quicker than usual because a full cavalry of helpers turn out.

By noon, all the food boxes are overfilled with fruit cocktail, chocolate cupcakes, juice, corn curls, cocoa, olives, salad dressing, detergent, coffee, pasta, oranges, apples, cream soup, canned yams and a pound of sugar.

Now it is last Wednesday evening and the Palmer Depot is lined with loaded tables.

Each long table leans under the weight of heavy boxes of food. Brightly wrapped gifts sit on the floor under the numbered food boxes. A sheet of paper is attached to each box, indicating the number of family members and the age of the children.

The larger the family, the more the food, that's the motto at the Palmer Food Bank.

The orders are checked. Candy is added. Bags of local grown potatoes are added.

By last Thursday morning, a winter blizzard is raging. But it is pick-up day -- despite the weather.

Volunteers show up and help carry the boxes and load the recipients' cars. Turkeys are carried through the snow. Grocery carts are pushed against a stiff wind. Bundled-up volunteering teens haul bags of gifts to the waiting vehicles.

Holiday food distribution is a tradition in Palmer.

For 25 years various community leaders have been collecting and sharing food with people in need. Originally the food bank went under the name of the Ladies of Charity. After several evolutions it is now commonly known as the Palmer Food Bank.

Henry Guinotte is the undisputed organizer of the Palmer Food Bank. His suit is wrinkled and his hair is mussed.

Despite his outward dishevelment, he is really very organized. And committed. If he looks stern it is because he wants to make sure everyone gets fed.

"And that means everyone has to do some paperwork," he explains. "I want to make sure they eat all year … not just at Christmas."

There are 15 dedicated volunteers who help year round at the Palmer Food Bank. Sharon Kern is one of them. She is responsible for the gifts for needy families.

Kern is a bright woman with energy to spare. You can tell she does not stop running when the light turns red. She adores the gift giving.

Leaning next to the food tables are a black Batman bike, a child's tea cart, a pair of skates and a sharp-looking sled.

Kern looks around at the tables of gifts and says proudly, "THIS IS my Christmas."

She is in charge of the gift lists. With the help of others, she buys, wraps and prepares hundreds of gifts each year. "We have four teens that do shopping for other teens. They know what the teen-agers will like. I start shopping for next year at the after-Christmas sales. I keep sizes and boxes all year in my basement."

Jan Barrett is another volunteer.

"St. Michaels was responsible for providing for 28-30 families this year. Our church foyer was just plumb full of gifts" he says.

There is a full array of volunteers, including the Lions Club, the Elks Club, the Kiwanis, the Rotary Club. There are assorted individuals, a group of high school students and the Kenley family.

Dozens of pairs of handmade fleece booties and warm mittens are on a table. They were made with care by the wives of the Lions and their friends.

For months schools and churches have been conducting food drives that benefit the food bank. Carrs, Wal-Mart and Bishop's Attic make contributions. It is a massive effort.

Jim Chesbro and Ed Kern are sole volunteers. They do what they're told, but they're having a good time. They lug boxes and push shopping carts around.

Jim Chesbro grabs a cookie, saying, "These are our wages," and grins.

"We have no employees. No one is paid. Not a cent. Volunteers do it all," Guinotte says. "And they like to work quietly."

Guinotte then quotes Matthew 6 -- "We are taught to give alms but not blow a trumpet." He sums up by saying this giving process is just a part of real Christian service. "It shows true compassion and Christian love."

On food pick-up day, Mary Combs greets the food bank recipients. Combs is an older woman but her eyes sparkle under her red-and-white Santa Claus hat.

She has worked at the food bank for years. She distributes boxes and keeps track. She wants to make certain everybody gets the right box and gifts.

Helen May distributes fresh bread, eggs and milk to the recipients. There are choices to be made for each family.

"Do you want to make a pie?" they are asked. If the answer is yes, the recipient is given a pie crust and filling. If the answer is no, the recipient receives a frozen pie.

Guinotte sees a family of six. The paperwork states that there are two parents and children, ages 9, 6, 5, and 2.

"No. Wait," he commands. "Give them a bigger turkey." He turns around and surveys the turkeys. He sizes and selects a huge one and hands it to the volunteer to load into the recipient's grocery cart.

Despite his harshness, Guinotte's deep concern shows through.

Finally, there is the small, green Christmas card that is included in every food and gift basket.

It simply reads, "The people of the Palmer community wish you a joyous Christmas and Holiday Season."