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In 2019, over 12,000 people visited Wesley House. Of that number, 7,743 individuals were helped through the food pantry.
Wesley House is an outreach mission of First United Methodist Church. Established in 1982, Wesley House’s mission is to, “provide a safe, welcoming place for individuals and families of Crawford County to seek assistance, advocacy, education and hope for a brighter tomorrow,” according to their website.
Pittsburg State senior in social work Adriaen Gillespie is hosting a donation drive for Wesley House’s food pantry.
“…I have volunteered there (Wesley House) before and have seen firsthand the number of people that go in every day and the donations they receive,” Gillespie said.
The food pantry is in need of items such as canned goods, hygiene products and laundry detergent. Drop off boxes are located in Russ Hall and the Touchton Alarms building.
“Donations will make a huge, wonderful difference,” Gillespie said. “Wesley House has had a higher influx of people using their services because of the Coronavirus and they’re having trouble keeping up.”
Gillespie will also accept monetary donations via Venmo (@WesleyHouse-FoodPantry).
“Wesley House is an organization in our community that helps people through their food pantry, coats for kids, the homeless day shelter, and many other programs,” Gillespie said. “I chose this organization to focus on because I have volunteered there before, and I became attached to this organization that is all about caring for others.”
This project is for one of Gillespie’s social work courses.
“This project is important to me, not only because it is for a class, but because I have been in situations where I needed help, especially with food,” Gillespie said. “I really want to do everything I can for this valuable organization in our community because they help so many people.”
Due to the ongoing pandemic, donating is the best way to get involved currently, according to Gillespie.
“Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus, there are not many… (other) ways to help out other than by donating,” Gillespie said. “They need food and hygiene products.”
The goal for the project is 200 dollars in monetary donations.
“That money can go a long way when it comes to canned goods, hygiene products, and laundry detergent,” Gillespie said. “I will be donating some of my own money as well.”
For more information about Wesley House, visit https://www.wesleyhouseumc.org/ or give them a call at 620-232-3760.