Our Story

The Metamora Food Pantry was started by the First Baptist Church of Metamora in the mid-1980s. Under the leadership of pastor Don Machen, they ran the food pantry faithfully for over two decades. However, the church continued to face struggles due to declining membership.  By 2006 it was becoming difficult for them to continue without support from others.  In 2007, members of Metamora Mennonite Church began volunteering at the pantry. By the beginning of 2008 MMC volunteers, in partnership with Pastor Don, worked to keep the pantry running.

In December of 2008, the First Baptist Church of Metamora closed its doors. That triggered a host of unforeseen events. First, it meant that the property where the pantry was run would come under the control of the Metro Peoria Baptist Association.  Depending on what they did with the property, the pantry was potentially without a home.  Second, it meant that someone else would need to step into leadership of the Metamora Food Pantry.

Both the Metro Peoria Baptist Association and the members of Metamora Mennonite Church entered into a season of discernment about the future. The people of MMC felt strongly that God was calling us to take leadership of the pantry. However, we still had many decisions to make. Would be buy the current property from MPBA? Would we run the pantry out of our church facility? Would we run the pantry out of a third location?

In Fall 2009, MMC received a shocking phone call from one of the board members of the MPBA. He asked Pastor Michael what he would think if the MPBA gave the property to MMC for the purpose of ministry to the glory of God? Pastor Michael was speechless (which never happens). Through much prayer and discernment, the MPBA made the decision to sell the property that housed the Food Pantry to Metamora Mennonite Church for $1.00. The people of Metamora Mennonite accepted the generous offer and take possession of the property in January of 2009.

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Food Drives and Fundraisers

Many businesses, organizations and student groups like to do food drives.  We find these are a great way to introduce folks to the pantry and to help them get involved in hands-on service in their community.  If you would like to host a food drive or fundraiser for the food pantry, we would love to partner with you.  Send us an e-mail to get the ball rolling!

Our congregation does a targeted, first Sunday food drive.  We collect a specific food item for the month, then bring it to worship on the first Sunday of the next month. Below is the 2024 schedule!  You are welcome to use this in your own congregation, organization or home!

If you have already hosted a food drive or fundraiser, thank you!  You can contact us at admin@metmenno.org to make arrangements to drop off the food or funds.

If you have a smaller amount of food you wish to drop off, you can do so any time by leaving the food in the breezeway at the pantry (1200 W. Mount Vernon St., Metamora, IL).  Please leave a note identifying where the donation came from so we can properly thank you!

hours of operation

For the holidays, the pantry will not be open on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, as they fall on Saturdays this year. You are welcome to come on the Tuesday before or after.

The Open Arms Food Pantry is open on Tuesday and Saturday each week, from 9 am to 11:45 am.  During those times, we distribute food.

People can access the pantry once every two weeks.

There are no forms to fill out and we don’t require ID.

We will ask for a name and the size of your family to help in our planning.

You can view our distribution guidelines here.

Values

The Open Arms Food Pantry is guided by 7 core values:

  • We believe God’s economy is an economy of abundance, not scarcity.

  • As we share with others needs are met and people, families and communities are strengthened.

  • The call of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit provide all the power and permission we need to love our neighbors by feeding the hungry.

  • Faith, hope and love saturate everything we do.

  • Grace, mercy and forgiveness fill in the space between our best efforts and best intentions.

  • Anyone who wishes to feed the hungry is a welcome partner and friend.

  • That said, we are followers of Jesus, without apology.  That has a great impact on what we do, why we do it, and how we do it.

Volunteer or Give

It takes many volunteers to run the food pantry.  The tasks are varied and we usually have something for everyone.  If you would like to volunteer, please send an e-mail to admin@metmenno.org. Please include your name, age, phone number and availability.  Also include a brief explanation of what skills you have and how you would like to help.

If you represent a group, that’s awesome.  Many hands make light work.  Just let us know the group name, contact information and approximately how many are in the group.  After submitting this info, our volunteer coordinator will give you a call or e-mail.

Donate

If you would like to donate funds to the pantry, that’s great.  Financial donations allow us to purchase exactly what we need for our guests.  You can write checks to “Open Arms Food Pantry” and mail them to:  Open Arms Food Pantry, 1200 W. Mount Vernon Street, Metamora, IL  61548.

To give on-line click here.

If you would like to donate food, that’s great too!  Here are the best food items to donate;

  • Canned vegetables (peas, green beans, carrots, corn)

  • Canned fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple)

  • Canned diced tomatoes

  • Canned Tuna

  • Medium box of Instant Rice

  • 1 lb. box of spaghetti, macaroni or noodles

  • Spaghetti sauce

  • Canned soup (chicken noodle, cream of chicken and mushroom for cooking, tomato, vegetable)

  • Peanut butter and Jelly/Jam (strawberry or grape)

  • Corn muffin mix

  • Macaroni and cheese (boxed any brand)

  • Canned pork and beans

  • Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels)

  • Laundry detergent

  • Hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo)