ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The Sisters of Providence Food Pantry received an upgrade thanks to the Wabash Valley Community Foundation. 

 With the food pantry in need, Sister Maureen Fallon, the pantry’s director, applied for a grant to replace the HVAC units with the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, receiving $5,000 for an urgent needs grant. 

The Sisters of Providence Food Pantry used the funds to purchase three new air conditioning units for the building. 

“We have a lot of elderly volunteers and elderly clients, most of whom are immune-compromised,” Sister Maureen said. “Plus, the units allow the senior citizen volunteers and clients to breathe easier in the summer while reducing the amount of fresh produce we need to send to compost. This is going to save us a whole lot of work.”

Sister Maureen noted that with around 65 volunteers averaging between the ages of 75-80 years old, the air conditioning units have helped to create a comfortable space and improve the air quality in the building. 

“They have made for a much more comfortable environment. “We can also use them for food preservation and more fresh vegetables and bread,” Sister Maureen said. “Without all of our volunteers, we would be able to do nothing,” she added.

Other improvements to the Sisters of Providence Food Pantry that took place this year were repairs to a forklift, the freezer/cooler, the replacement of an awning, and buying a new van and 5 additional food wagons. The roof and ceiling tiles were also replaced. 

According to Sister Maureen, the food pantry serves around 100 families and 400 individuals on a weekly basis.

Vigo County residents are welcome to utilize the pantry once a month and is open from 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. 

The food pantry director said it costs $20 to help feed a family of five and that the pantry is financed completely by donations. Donations to the pantry can be made from 9:15-10:15 a.m. on Tuesdays, or from 6:30-11 a.m. on Thursdays.

For more information, call 812-535-2544 or email Sister Maureen Fallon.