Food pantry gearing up for annual Christmas store

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by Patty Cheffey

While it may seem like the holiday season gets started way too soon for some, for the Palmyra Food Pantry, however, there is no choice.

In need of children’s and teen’s Christmas gift, the food pantry is starting now in asking for donations as well as gathering them in various locations in town.

According to Penny Knochel with the food pantry, the Christmas Store, which will open Tuesday, Nov. 28, is in need of several items to be distributed for children in need in the local area.

Toys, various kinds of balls, games, Legos, Squishmallows and body wash gift sets (for the teens) are always popular items, she said.

Girls also seem to like the arts and craft kits, Knochel noted, while boys also like the race car tracks, robots and remote control items.

Dolls, tractors and trucks and items for toddlers are also popular.

“We also need nice, used or new winter coats for all sizes,” Knochel added.

Noting the Palmyra Food Pantry receives no help from other Christmas toy programs, such as Toys for Tots, the ladies in charge of the food pantry Christmas Store are hoping to get their donations before the other programs get going in full swing.

Barrels are already out in stores, as are the cash donation buckets. Stores carrying those include County Market, Dollar General, Family Dollar, El Nopal, Breadeaux Pizza and Agri-Med as well as possibly new locations, Knochel said.

Cash donations are always welcome and will be used not only to purchase gifts for the Christmas store but also to purchase the turkeys the food pantry gives away at both Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Cash donations can be dropped in any of the boxes in the stores or checks may be mailed to Palmyra Area Food Pantry, 319 W. Main Cross, Palmyra, Mo. 63461, and earmarked for the Christmas Store.

While the Christmas Store is strictly for children, some kind of small gift is usually available for adults. Children will receive a big gift, a small gift, a stocking and some candy.

The Christmas Store will be open during the hours of the food pantry on Tuesdays, Nov. 28 through Dec. 19.