To The Editor:

Our Daily Bread Community Pantry’s Board organizational meeting in Lehigh Acres was held at the Our Daily Bread house on September 8. The opening prayer was led by Robert Lockwood. In attendance were the following prospective Board members:

Father Dennis Cooney, St Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church, Pastor Mark Zammett, Harvest Ministries Church of God, Robert Lockwood, Nazarene Church, and Henry Walter, Christ United Methodist Church.

Board members unable to attend included Pastor Michael Porzio, New-Image Ministries, Pastor Carlos Otero, Christ United Methodist Church, and prospective Board Member, Pastor Russ Franklin, REAL Men Ministry.

Ben Bendola opened the discussion with a brief history of the group and an announcement that we are incorporated under the statutes of the State of

Florida, with the above named group forming the Board. He emphasized the importance of fundraising. Ben had spoken with Ann Douglas, consultant, who informed Ben that a grant from a large corporation, unless you have a local main office, will not happen without a local connection.

Lehigh Medical Group personnel asked we bring in a letter of purpose to begin to get recognized prior to requesting funds.

Ben emphasized that we need a board that can give advice on spending money and on connecting with people. Public contact is so important.

Nine prospective Board members and non-Board member volunteers voted for the new Board. Ben will fill the position of Chairman and Jane Mullikin will remain as Secretary-Treasurer but will not be a voting Board member. No vote was taken on these positions.

The floor was opened for a discussion on the best meeting time and night. No consensus was reached.

Food Pantry discussion: Harvest Ministries is planning to combine their food pantry with Our Daily Bread Community Pantry. St. Raphael is keeping their pantry open but they have new regulations requiring an

appointment.

Maxine Cersosimo, ODB volunteer, indicated we were running short on food and had to restrict food to one day a week, Saturday, with bread and pastries available on Tuesday. The group was in agreement on proof of residence requirements and restrictions on number of times the participants can come each month.

With time, Father Cooney suggested we will learn to know how many are really in a family.

Our new corporate ID number is available through Ben Bendola. The 501(c)3 paperwork is to be completed. Ben Bendola announced that he has a salary and that he is paying Skip for maintenance work and others for extra

expenses.

The Board’s next meeting will be in approximately 30 days. Officers will be elected at that time. The exact date will be established later.

Jane Mullikin

Lehigh Acres