There are no “clients” at Martha’s Pantry in Vancouver. Those who visit quickly become known as “friends.” This all-volunteer staffed pantry focuses on the needs of those affected by AIDS/HIV, but is open to all who come through the doors. They’ve been serving Clark County since the 80s.
The Early Days
In the early 1980s, AIDS was devastating the local gay community as well as others with the disease. They not only were fighting for their lives, they were facing financial ruin because they just couldn’t work.
A small group of concerned people in Vancouver decided to take on the task of helping these individuals and families in any way they could. It started with buying food, driving to the homes of those in need and distributing it out of the trunks of their cars. As I was guided around the current Martha’s Pantry rooms at a small church on MacArthur Boulevard, Pastor Ken Kerr pointed to an energetic gentleman. “He was one of those who delivered the food in the early days and he still volunteers,” Kerr shares. “He’s in his 80s!”
The effort grew as more compassionate people took up the task of providing food, clothing and cleaning supplies, as well as emotional support and friendship. They grew and occupied a permanent space at the First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) in Hazel Dell. Two years ago a three-alarm fire damaged most of the food at Martha’s Pantry and they had to move to their current smaller location in Vancouver Heights.
A Place of Kindness
I was greeted with a smile by Baxter Jones, a Martha’s Pantry board member, who was at the front of the room stocking shelves with canned goods and cleaning supplies. In the open room, people sat at round tables chatting and enjoying lunch. A woman, on portable oxygen and using a walker, selected a loaf of bread to take home after checking in with the volunteer.
At the back of the room a man, also with a smile on his face, packed up donated clothing that had been hung up for those who might need some clean clothing.
In another room used by Martha’s Pantry, I met with Kerr who had pastoral duties at the church and was the President of the Martha’s Pantry board. He explained to me that as Martha’s Pantry grew and served more people, it was only through a network of community agencies, businesses and individual supporters that their work could grow. For many years they were the only non-governmental agency serving those affected by AIDS/HIV. Some of their partners include the Clark County Food Bank, Kaiser Permanente and the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Raintree Empire. Recently, Kaiser Permanente brought 35 people to Martha’s Pantry for a workday to clean and organize. It takes individuals and organizations with large and small contributions to keep the program running. Vancouver churches such as the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Vancouver Heights United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver and others play an important part in seeing that Martha’s Pantry continues their work.
As Kerr showed me around, more supporters were pointed out – an organic farmer who sent fresh produce and Safeway who provides baked goods. The list is endless of those who care.
Not Just Food
When a person comes to Martha’s Pantry for food and supplies they are given a list of what is available and within that list, how many items of a certain category they can take that particular month. Kerr shared, “they usually go home with 80 to 90 pounds of food for the month.” If people can’t come in, they can call in their order and a volunteer will deliver it.
Anyone living with a condition where the immune system is suppressed needs to keep their home and cooking area clean. So cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items are available at Martha’s Pantry, unlike with traditional food banks.
Another focus is clothing. “Our clothing closet is named Michelle’s Closet after the volunteer who started it,” explained Kerr. “Michelle, who ultimately died of AIDS, was an involved volunteer who saw a need and worked to fill it. She had the vision of coat drives during the winter and Martha’s Pantry collected over 100 warm coats. Her Mom and Dad still come to fund-raisers.”
There are activities and special events such as arts and crafts, games and distributing Christmas dinner baskets.
But the main reason Martha’s Pantry is so needed is that those with HIV/AIDs often don’t feel welcomed when they go to other programs. “They feel at home here,” Kerr said. In fact, I have to add, I felt welcome too. It’s just the positive atmosphere that the volunteers and partners have created.
Moving on to the Future
The next steps for Martha’s Pantry includes preparing and moving into the UCC facility in Hazel Dell. Vicki Smith, executive director of Martha’s Pantry, expects the modifications and additions to the facility will cost at least $50,000. They have received a $10,000 grant from the Oregon Food Bank to purchase a walk-in freezer so they can increase the food they are able to provide their friends.
The anticipated move should be the first part of April, if construction proceeds as planned.
Once the move is complete they plan to include the youth in the church to enlarge their services in the community. Young people as well as current volunteers will ensure Martha’s Pantry will be here far into the future fulfilling their mission of “Improving the quality of lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in Southwest Washington.”
I have to point out that Smith is also a volunteer. Martha’s pantry is completely volunteer run. And through the efforts of the volunteers and community they will continue to touch the lives of the people they serve as the program grows.
If you want help Martha’s Pantry you can add to their building plan by going to their Facebook page or the Martha’s Pantry website (being updated).
