FORNEY, Texas – The Forney Food Pantry has come a long way since losing a portion of their roof and building on April 3, 2014, when an EF3 rated tornado touched down in Forney.
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The building has since been repaired but the pantry found themselves in a different situation – a food shortage – after increasing the number of families they served by over 50% in a year . The pantry issued a plea to the community for donations which was promptly answered.
When the leadership class began in September of 2013, the Forney Food Pantry was the sure choice for their class project. In just six months, the class brought together local business owners, community leaders, churches, and city officials to donate their time, money, equipment, and expertise to the Forney Food Pantry.
A complete new heating and air conditioning system was donated and installed with a cage to protect the outside unit. A commercial refrigerator was donated and, for the first time ever, the pantry was able to accept and distribute perishable items. The pantry is also having a walk-in refrigeration unit installed with funds donated by the United Way.
The class also built a new website for the Forney Food Pantry and created Facebook and Twitter accounts to help raise awareness for the pantry and provide more information to the community. A laptop and printer were also donated so the pantry could print forms and manage records which was done by hand before.
A community drop-off location program was developed by the class which utilizes decals for businesses to identify themselves as a drop-off location in Forney and Crandall.
In March, the class presented their project to the Forney City Council who, in turn, granted the pantry an additional $25,000 to purchase a refrigerated box truck so they could pick up more food from the North Texas Food Bank and other area food services. The grant will also be used to purchase a pallet jack and complete some of the remaining items on the class's to-do list.
The 2014 Forney Leadership class graduated on Thursday, April 17, 2014, at the Forney ISD Admin Building. A group from the class also visited Austin, Texas, on Monday and Tuesday of this week to meet with Senator Bob Deuell, his staff, tour the capital building, and the archives building.
For more information on the Forney Food Pantry, visit their website or Facebook Page.
When the leadership class began in September of 2013, the Forney Food Pantry was the sure choice for their class project. In just six months, the class brought together local business owners, community leaders, churches, and city officials to donate their time, money, equipment, and expertise to the Forney Food Pantry.
A complete new heating and air conditioning system was donated and installed with a cage to protect the outside unit. A commercial refrigerator was donated and, for the first time ever, the pantry was able to accept and distribute perishable items. The pantry is also having a walk-in refrigeration unit installed with funds donated by the United Way.
The class also built a new website for the Forney Food Pantry and created Facebook and Twitter accounts to help raise awareness for the pantry and provide more information to the community. A laptop and printer were also donated so the pantry could print forms and manage records which was done by hand before.
A community drop-off location program was developed by the class which utilizes decals for businesses to identify themselves as a drop-off location in Forney and Crandall.
In March, the class presented their project to the Forney City Council who, in turn, granted the pantry an additional $25,000 to purchase a refrigerated box truck so they could pick up more food from the North Texas Food Bank and other area food services. The grant will also be used to purchase a pallet jack and complete some of the remaining items on the class's to-do list.
The 2014 Forney Leadership class graduated on Thursday, April 17, 2014, at the Forney ISD Admin Building. A group from the class also visited Austin, Texas, on Monday and Tuesday of this week to meet with Senator Bob Deuell, his staff, tour the capital building, and the archives building.
For more information on the Forney Food Pantry, visit their website or Facebook Page.