VOLUNTEERS HELP ORGANIZE FOOD PANTRY

The Salvation Army's food pantry was in serious need of attention: Cases of canned goods were stacked next to donated shelves the Salvation Army staff didn't know how to assemble.

Distributing food to needy families was tough because staff members and volunteers had trouble finding what they needed.

On Wednesday a team of volunteers from the Target store took over, cleaned out the storeroom, put together the shelves, and organized the donated food items.

The volunteers were part of the Area Wide United Way's first Day of Caring. Volunteers spent part of the day Wednesday working in some of the agencies that receive money from United Way.

Dorothy Klein, executive director of the Area Wide United Way, said both volunteers and agency staff reported success on the first Day of Caring.

"They all have very positive attitudes, and we're pleased with that," Klein said.

The objective is for people to see their United Way donations at work.

A fund-raising campaign is under way to raise $500,000 to help fund 24 service agencies in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

"They have a chance to see where their dollars are going and that they are being spent in a worthwhile manner," said Klein.

Many of the volunteers had never been inside the agencies where they worked Wednesday.

Doug Rowe, Target store team leader, said: "The Salvation Army had a great need in the food pantry. So we put together a team of six volunteers, and here we are."

After the team figured out the shelving it helped stock the shelves.

Capt. Robert Gauthier of the Salvation Army was delighted. "We never would have been able to do this without their help," he said. "This is a great idea."

He said the six people who worked in the pantry learned about the Salvation Army and the work it does.

For example, Scott Porter, a new employee of the Salvation Army, worked with the volunteers. Porter will be establishing a youth program for the Salvation Army.

As they sawed and stacked, Porter explained his vision for the new program: after-school tutoring, a general equivalency diploma program, a way to redirect young lives in a positive manner.

Volunteers also worked at Family Learning Center, Lutheran Family and Children's Services, Cape Senior Center and the American Red Cross.