Food pantry Christmas store in need of items

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by Patty Cheffey

The Palmyra Food Pantry Christmas Store is up and running again, but items are still needed.

Christmas gifts for children ages nine to 17 both boys and girls are still needed, although the store has plenty of gift items for infants and younger children.

Located in the Palmyra Food Pantry, the Christmas Store will be open on Tuesdays during the regular food pantry hours until Dec. 21.

According to Gaye Phillips, Christmas gifts for teens is the biggest needed.

“We do not need any baby stuff, and we have plenty of items for younger children,” she said. “What we need is stuff for teens.”

Bath and body products have not been a huge success, Phillips noted, but craft items and sports equipment go over well.

“Baseball gloves, basketballs, footballs and soccer balls are welcomed,” she said, noting also the popularity of the pickle ball game. “Craft items are also popular, but they need to be geared towards older kids.”

Phillips also noted the Christmas Store currently has two Athletic Sports Rebounds, which she knows will go fast.

“I don’t know how much those even cost, but know they would be a good item,” she said, adding that board games for older kids and art boxes also are popular items.

The store also has lots of blankets, but could possibly use more of those.

Every child will receive a stocking, thanks to the Hannibal Quilt Guild and Linda Bier, Phillips said.

Those wishing to donate items, including good used coats, may do so at the food pantry, located at 319 W. Main Cross St. or at a number of barrels around town.

Phillips cautioned, however, to make sure the donations are placed in the Palmyra Food Pantry barrels and not the Toys for Tots barrels as Toys for Tots items will not go towards Palmyra youths.

“We don’t do the gifts for the Hannibal residents who use the food pantry since they have a number of other resources, including Toys for Tots and Douglass Community Services,” Phillips said.

Currently, in addition to Marion County, the food pantry has been serving residents in Clark, Shelby, Monroe, Ralls and Lewis counties.

Last year the Christmas Store served 255 children, and Phillips said she is expecting they will serve even more this year.