THE MOUNT AIRY Food Pantry has been serving the needs of community members for years. Now the pantry needs help from the community to continue its worthwhile efforts.
The food pantry is a program of Mount Airy NET, an organization dedicated to providing emergency supplies and relief to community members, and offering an opportunity for people to volunteer their time and efforts to help their neighbors.
Over the years the pantry has teamed with area schools, churches, businesses and service groups to collect canned, boxed and dried food.
The food is distributed to area residents who need help providing meals for their families and who are unable to purchase the staples that many people take for granted.
Program coordinator Lyn Lynch reports that donations have decreased during the past few months because people have been away on vacation and fewer activities are sponsored by area organizations during the summer.
The pantry needs staples such as canned and dried pasta, peanut butter, cereal and canned fruit. Food donations can be taken to Calvary United Methodist Church, 403 S. Main St., or to the Mount Airy NET office at St. James Thrift Shop, 234 S. Main St., both in downtown Mount Airy.
Information: 301-831-7147.
Post 191 awards
Mount Airy American Legion Gold Star Post 191 was recognized for its many activities at the recent Department Convention. Post 191 received two unexpected awards.
The first was a plaque stating recognition of and appreciation for outstanding service and dedication to Maryland veterans and the second was a plaque "awarded to the Post excelling in the Winter Olympics," a children's program. This award showed Post 191 as a "Gold Sponsor" for the 2000 Winter Games.
Other awards received by the Mount Airy Legion are: Past Department Commander Herbert L. Rhodes Memorial trophy for excelling in rehabilitation programs; John Sloan Newsletter Trophy "for the best newsletter covering Legion programs and activities" for a post of 751 to 1,000 members; Boy Scout Trophy awarded to a post of 801 to 1,000 members for giving "the most help and support to the Boy Scout Program."
The post also received Department History Trophy for a post of 751 to 1,000 members for the best yearbook, and its 33rd consecutive "4 Star" plaque for exceeding the previous annual all-time high in membership.
Post Commander Phil Overholtzer thanked everyone for their efforts.
"If it wasn't for the individual members, this would not have been possible," he said.
Donna Abel's Southwest Neighbors column appears each Friday in the Carroll County edition of The Sun.
