Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS) will host the sixth Annual Food Pantry Open House — Feed the Pantry-Feed the Soul — from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday Aug. 18 at the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry 10601 Baur Boulevard in Creve Coeur. The event is open to the public and is a major food-and-fundraiser for the food pantry, from serves clients regardless of religion or background. Admission to the event is a bag of groceries.  

Organizers stress that this year is an especially important time to consider attending — growing demand requires quicker replenishment of pantry shelves. Event co-chairs Michael Weisbrod and Rena Abrams have planned an afternoon of entertaining activities to encourage new and returning families to come to donate. 

“Our pantry has a process unique to our area for clients coming for food. Rather than come to a window and receive a bag of groceries, they are allowed to ‘shop’ for their own grocery, produce and personal care items under the guidance of a food pantry volunteer,” said Weisbrod. 

Visitors will have an opportunity to experience what it is like to be a real client with a family going through the food pantry.  Each of those guests will have a family ID badge as they go through the tour. Upon continuing through the admissions, they will experience the market store style of food selection instituted at the new HKJFP location. Afterward people will have the opportunity to sponsor a family.    

“Feed the Pantry-Feed the Soul will also be a great time to see the new home of the food panty if someone did not get to see it at last year’s grand opening,” says Abrams. Along with these activities there will be face painting, draw your hand and post it on the refrigerator/freezer to show you “lent a hand” at the event. 

Items that are needed most are canned pasta with meat, hearty soups, tuna, beef stew, peanut butter and healthy snacks. However, there is need for fresh produce, toiletries, cleaning supplies and even pet food. The food pantry facility is equipped with cold storage for meats and freezer items as well as a great deal of shelf space. 

For more information about Jewish Family & Children’s Service, please call 314-993-1000, or visit www.jfcs-stl.org.