For five years Arbor Covenant Church has partnered with Memorial United Church of Christ, All Saints
Lutheran Church and The Church at Christ Memorial to provide personal and household hygiene products
such as toilet paper, shampoo, laundry detergent, diapers and toothbrushes/tooth paste to our neighbors
with low incomes predominantly in the Fitchburg neighborhood and surrounding areas. There are many
food pantries in Madison but there are only 3 personal essentials pantries within Madison and the
products that we provide are typically not available any place else.
When our guests come through the Fellowship Room door at Arbor Covenant, they are warmly greeted
and reminded to take a number from our informational easel. Then they are encouraged to enjoy a cup of
great coffee (their words!) and a “goodie” which is usually a muffin from Perkins or one of the sweets
that Panera Bread often donates to us. Panera also donates a large amount of fresh bread, rolls and bagels
for our guests who are encouraged to take as much as they want every week.
When their number is called they meet with a volunteer who manages a computer that tells the guest what
they are eligible for that week and produces a paper menu in whatever language is appropriate. The guest
chooses what they need from this menu and another volunteer takes their menu back to the supply room
and the order is filled.
In the meantime, our guest is free to go back to the Fellowship room and enjoy more coffee with their
neighbors. The room often looks like a mini – United Nations with people who are Hispanic, African
American, Muslim, Eastern European, North American, Asian and from many other cultures. People are
swapping stories, childcare tips and laughter while seated around the round, white tables.
When their order has been filled, a volunteer brings the bags to them and they are basically ready to go.
Our volunteer team is extremely efficient so the whole process generally takes 20-30 minutes or less.
Many volunteers are involved in background activities including accepting deliveries of products from
our local wholesaler, Certco and then emptying the large cartons and stocking the shelves. Nancy
Baumgardner from Memorial UCC, Robin Cherwinka from All Saints Lutheran Church and Jan Gietzel
from Arbor Covenant take care of operations. Nancy is skilled at all the ordering. Robin manages and
maintains the website www.gnpep.net as well as coordinating all the volunteers. Jan is in charge of
GNPEP’s financial records and fundraising activities. Many volunteers from all the churches support all
the positions that are needed to keep GNPEP running smoothly. Those who have been involved from
Arbor include Janis Hanson, Ann-Britt Keillor, Ruth Hallblade, Elrene Lund, Sue Pecotte, Pastor Peter
and Susan Corrado. GNPEP is also extremely grateful for its regular financial supporters from Arbor and
all the other individuals, churches and organizations that help keep this mission viable.
God has extended his grace to all of us through this work – guests, volunteers, supporters and churches.
Please pray that these blessings continue as examples of what it means to care for one another!