Every second, fourth, and on an occasional fifth Wednesday, a dedicated group of women serve the Mid-North Food Pantry with care and grace. Sandy Cheney, Mary Alice Moon, and Mary Allen are all members of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church and feel called to serve this community. Mary Allen says her reason for volunteering is simple, “God nudged me with a reminder–to whom much has been given, much is expected.” Mary Alice says, “Tab decided to stay at 34th and Central because it was called to make a difference in the neighborhood. As a member of Tab I want to directly serve those who live in Tab’s neighborhood.” Mary Alice then recruited Sandy, and found a sub in Ruth Ann Wright. At MNFP they are affectionately called, “The Tab Ladies.” It takes more than just these three ladies to keep MNFP running on those Wednesdays. They have gathered a few other friends to help and sub when needed, including Carol Keller, Sharon Mealka, Jerilyn Roy, and Kathleen Lindstaedt.
Sandy says she enjoys the camaraderie and team approach working together. Aside from just spending this time together, they also truly enjoy the experience. Mary Allen says her favorite part is, “Working with such a diverse group of people who are experiencing so many different emotions and life stories. I hear sadness, anger, joy, gratitude, and in many cases, a deep faith in God. Even though they struggle with poverty, they feel God blesses them daily, and in many cases the Mid-North Food Pantry is one of those blessings.”
The Tab Ladies have been volunteering at MNFP since its inception. They have filled many roles and helped sustain the operations of the Pantry over time. Sandy recalls, “Our first job was washing, arranging and stocking the shelves. So interesting to be in on the initial set up there and share in all of the very positive changes over the years.” The stories of their experiences are certainly fulfilling and the interactions they share with MNFP neighbors are definitely cherished. Mary Alice enjoys the connections to Tab and remembers, “Several years ago I was helping a client, and she asked me where I went to church. I told her I went to Tab. She got so excited and told me how three of her boys were very involved with the Tab recreation program and gave Tab all the credit for keeping her boys out of the drug scene. That’s just one more story of how Tab’s mission is being met every day at 34th and Central.” Mary Allen tells of a time when she truly felt God’s presence at MNFP, “I helped a woman shop at the pantry and the entire time I was with her she was angry, critical, and very very difficult to assist. I went to the parking lot with her and as I was putting groceries in her trunk I asked if she had anything in her life that I could be praying about. She burst into tears and proceeded to share much about her family. She cried and talked a lot. I listened and thanked God that He had softened BOTH of our hearts!”
The Tab Ladies encourage everyone to volunteer. There are many ways you can serve and many moving parts in which to help. If you are hesitant, Sandy says, “Come and give it a try for just a couple of hours! Shadow one of the regulars and if you enjoy it, stay longer and come back again! The opportunities to serve at the pantry are numerous: aide clients in shopping, enroll clients on the computer, help us stock the shelves, sort incoming food donations, etc. There’s something for everyone to do!” Moreover, the impact it leaves is rewarding and fulfilling. Mary Alice says, “It’s a great way to serve others…share a bit of special time with a client, bringing a few minutes of hope and happiness into their lives…you’ll never leave the pantry without feeling that you put a smile on some client’s face or brought some sunshine into a client’s heart.”
These volunteers pray, listen, and care deeply for all of the MNFP neighbors. The pantry is more than grateful for The Tab Ladies and their service.