Members of The Rotary Club of Minden celebrated the Christmas season by gathering bags of food to donate to The Closet and Food Pantry of Minden, which is a subsidiary of Community Action. Rendy France, director of the Minden food pantry, attended the Rotary Club meeting on December 14, 2023 and explained to the club that much of the funding for the food pantry comes from sales generated by The Closet, a thrift store sustained entirely with donations from the community.

France further explained that The Closet and Food Pantry of Minden not only assists with requests for food, but also helps in times of need with rent and utility payments, school supplies and winter coats and clothing for children. Each year the Closet and Pantry sponsors the Christmas Caring Tree in which community members provide families in need with Christmas gifts.
France added that many of the pantry’s benefactors are seniors who are unable to make ends meet with costs of housing, utilities and medication. The pantry also sees a spike in food requests during the summer when children do not have access to school lunches. “We are always in need of volunteers,” France added.

“The Rotary Club of Minden has been happy to support the good work of the pantry for many years,” said Marse McCann Carpenter, club president. “We are fortunate to have such a resource in our community.”

The Rotary Club of Minden has been serving the Minden community since 1926. The club meets at noon on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at the Minden Opera House. Visit mindenrotary.com for more information.

Contact: MARSE McCANN-CARPENTER 308-832-1793