About Your Affton Christian Food Pantry

written by Gene Haessig

On February 21, 2004, the St. George Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVDP) opened a food pantry. The stated purpose was to create a facility that would serve the needy in the Affton area surrounding St. George parish. Strong support for this effort came from the St. Louis Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Because there was a growing need for the service being offered, this pantry quickly expanded, both in terms of clients served and volunteers enlisted. it became apparent that support systems adequate to manage this growth would have to be developed. Independent of that concern, by mid 2005, pantry members met with representatives from Salem Lutheran Church to discuss ways and means to increase the pantry mission. these discussions were spearheaded by Deaconess Ruth McDonnell from Salem Lutheran Church and John Coleman, president of the South District of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, from St. George Parish. Following these initial meetings, letters were sent to many of the Christian churches in the Affton area inviting them to participate in the project. Enough interest was generated to create an informal organization and continue these meetings on a fairly regular basis. On July 19, 2006, representatives from seven churches agreed to form the Affton Christian Food Pantry (ACFP). This action changed the name of the food pantry, but did not change the its management or its roots, which were solidly planted in the St. George/St. Vincent de Paul Society. It did, however, start in motion the beginnings of an ecumenical project to continue to serve the poor in an expanded area. Also, a formal organization was formed to move the process forward, consisting of a representative from each of the seven churches.

In mid year, 2008, the ACFP filed incorporation papers with the State of Missouri. The application was filed on behalf of the seven original churches plus three additional churches who had decided to officially join the ACFP’s ministry. This application was approved on August 9, 2008, and the Affton Christian Food Pantry became an authorized not-for-profit organization. The Pantry continued to operate and be managed as a St. Vincent de Paul organization. in late fall, the ACFP applied for tax exempt status under sections 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code. Approval of this application was granted on March 9, 2009. This event set the stage for the official transfer of assets, obligations, and responsibilities from SVDP to ACFP. This transfer took place on April 1, 2009, and as of that date the pantry could officially claim to be a Christian ecumenical project dedicated to serving the poor and needy in the Affton area.

The ACFP continues to be well-positioned, with eleven area Christian churches forming a strong support base and over four hundred individuals committing as volunteers and/or members. Construction of a renovated pantry facility, financed by St. George and located on its property, has begun and will most likely be completed in early October 2009. Yet, with all of these exciting achievements and milestones, the pantry will be judged on the degree to which it succeeds in bettering the lives of the clients whom it serves. In the name of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, this is our mission and our greatest goal!

“For I was hungry and you gave me food” Matthew 25:25