MONROE — Mary Spoonhour and her husband, Pastor Matt Spoonhour, have served First Baptist Church in Monroe for nearly 20 years. The church has changed over the years, but Spoonhour said the congregation still strives to be close-knit.
“They try to come together to help each other and work in the community,” she said.
The Spoonhours operate a food pantry out of the church, serving any community member in need.
“My husband has really tried to build it up, so we have a fridge, a freezer and then dry goods,” said Spoonhour. “We try to provide fresh things like eggs and milk, as well as meat.”
The church’s effort has been support by local Salvation Army representatives, as well as by donations from their own congregation.
During the holiday season, the church also came together to brighten Thanksgiving meals for those in need. One of its members donated several turkeys and the congregation worked to put together “turkey dinner” food boxes.
“It can be a pretty big expense added into your budget, trying to provide that nice meal,” said Spoonhour.
She recalls one of the church’s past Sunday School attendees, who had never had a Thanksgiving dinner until his family received one from the church.
“It’s become this thing where we enjoy being able to help some of these people who maybe otherwise can’t afford to be able to have a Thanksgiving dinner on their own,” said Spoonhour.
Anyone in need of a food box, at any time throughout the year, can send a text to Pastor Spoonhour at (608) 558-6978. The church will then set up an appointment time for the individual to pick up a box, with openings daily. Food boxes are prepared based on the number of people in a family and any specific needs or allergies those in need may have. Spoonhour shared they also provide toiletries, including soap and toilet paper, when available.
Community members who want to help the church’s food pantry financially can donate by cash, check or Venmo/PayPal. Spoonhour also welcomes anyone who may wish to donate food or supplies.
It can be difficult to anticipate what food may be most helpful to those in need. Oftentimes, food pantries — in Monroe and nationwide — receive items like canned vegetables. However, unless they are pop-top cans, these often can’t be used without a can opener. Spoonhour encouraged people to “think about the things that you would need if you were hungry and not able to provide food.”
This might include bread, without which peanut butter and jelly don’t have much use, or fresh meat, a crucial but less-available item to accompany popular Hamburger Helper donations.
“What do you eat in a week and what would you like to receive?” Spoonhour asked. “Sometimes it’s just the staples that people don’t really think about.”
Milk is one of the items Spoonhour said they run out of most often. Donations of shelf-stable powdered milk can be stored long-term and handed out as needed, helping recipients to enjoy things like cereal and mashed potatoes that are common food pantry donations. Hygiene products are also often difficult to come by and can feel like a luxury when received.
“A lot of times the boxes that we’re handing out are for homeless individuals,” she said. “So we’ll try to hand out things that don’t need to cook, things like granola bars or instant oatmeal.”
Spoonhour said she and her husband work to feed the community physically as well as spiritually. “We’ve been given so much by God,” she said. “Giving back just means that I’m going to extend that same love and grace to other people and help them out, because I’ve been given so much.”
