Our Daily Bread invites clients back inside pantry After operating for more than a year as a drive thru, volunteers at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry (ODB) were excited to welcome clients back into the pantry building June 1. With a lower infection rate in Sedgwick County, combined with rising vaccination levels and the relaxing of COVID precautions, program director Joe Seitz said ODB was ready to safely reopen its doors to clients. Coming into the building allows clients to choose the food items that they want for their family, rather than receiving a pre-packaged box of items that were distributed through the drive thru. Seminarian Miles Swigart, assisting clients at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry.
Finding ways to give Continued from page 1
We appreciate all those who use the enclosed return envelope to send a gift whenever they receive a newsletter. Or, the growing number of people who donate securely online via our website, with many choosing to become monthly donors. Others respond to our Christmas and spring appeal mailings. Still others think of us when making a required distribution from a retirement plan. On page 5, LeAnne Miller, our senior director of development, explains how people can take an active role in helping raise dollars by inspiring those in their circle of influence. Another way to give is by remembering Catholic Charities when planning your estate or preparing your will. This type of giving can leave a legacy while also lowering the tax burden for your heirs.
“We are still taking precautions, such as a one-way route through the pantry, and are so happy to welcome clients inside again,” Joe says. “While the drive thru certainly served its purpose and was necessary, the volunteers and I agree that we can better serve our clients with dignity and respect when they are able to choose the food items they want.” Joe says the early response from clients has been favorable. “One client recently shared with a volunteer that they prefer Our Daily Bread to other pantries in Wichita because ‘you guys treat us like human beings,’” he says. Joe says that the pantry is still busier than it was prior to the March 2020 shutdowns, but the numbers have slowed since the height of the pandemic when 2,000 families would come each month. “We are serving about 1,500 families a month now, or about twice what we were doing before the pandemic,” he says.
How you can help feed the hungry Make a cash donation that allows Joe to purchase discounted items in bulk. Organize a food drive at your church or workplace. Become a volunteer.
Brummel leaves a legacy
There are many ways that you can choose to support the work of Catholic Charities. Whichever method you choose, know that your gift is greatly appreciated and truly makes a difference in the life of another.
Ron Brummel was a frugal man -- a Vietnam veteran who loved his country and family. A lifelong Catholic, Ron remained a bachelor all his life and was beloved by his siblings, nieces and nephews. He worked for 50 years at his family’s Star Lumber and Supply, where he was the longtime credit manager.
Gratefully, Wendy
Patrick & Ron
Ron worried about whether he had saved enough money to cover his living expenses in retirement.
