Howell County News/ Amanda MendezHowell County News/ Amanda MendezHowell County News/ Amanda Mendez

MUNCH Needs YOU

MUNCH (Missourians United to Combat Hunger) is a thrift store and food pantry in Willow Springs. Located in the 800 block of East Main St., the organization feeds about 350 local families and even delivers food to homebound area seniors. The attached thrift store provides the income necessary for organizers to purchase many of the food items that they hand out. A fixture in the community for more than thirty years, the good work they do and the need MUNCH fills is hardly news. 
However, their operations have been severely hampered by the pandemic, and the organization is in dire need of volunteers.
“We want to be open 6 days a week. Now, we are open for 4,” explained director Rose Marcum, “We just don’t have enough volunteers.”
On the thrift store side of things, volunteers help sort donations and man the counter. For the food pantry, volunteers sack groceries and help organize the inventory of food donations. 
Committing to volunteer would mean a shift of 11:00 to 4:00 p.m. on a weekday in the thrift store, but there is also a need for helpers on a more flexible basis. Even a once a month commitment to help in the food pantry warehouse would make a positive difference. 
“We’re flexible,” Marcum said, “Not everyone can come every week, but we need about five people on any given day.”
Marcum explained that the organization lost many of their volunteers after the shutdown prompted by the pandemic. She pointed out that most of the current volunteers are vaccinated. There are no special skills or lifting requirements to volunteer, although healthy individuals who could lend some muscle would be very much appreciated. Volunteers should be at least 16 years of age. 
“We need people willing to serve others,” she said.
If you are interested in volunteering, see Rose Marcum at MUNCH at 811 East Main St. or call (417) 469-3221.
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Howell County News

110 W. Main St.,
Willow Springs, MO 65793
417-252-2123

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