Focus on Bob Wollen

Bob Wollen stocking the Food Pantry shelves.

Since his Baptism is 2000, Bob Wollen has been a parishioner at St. Noel. For the past five or six years he has been working every day for the food pantry.  By day he shops online at the Cleveland Food Bank.  On Mondays he and his crew including Ray & Mary Ellen Buzanski, Ruth Martin, Jan Floran and Sandy Walker pick up his order and stock our shelves. On Thursday from 9-11 a.m. they meet with clients.

"Alice asked if I would help out when we stored the food in the garage. We started with 10 clients. In Jan. 2008 we started with the Cleveland Food Bank. Before that we went out to Orwell once a month. Funding is from Harvest for Hunger on Heisley in Mentor and the state and federal government. The food pantry also relies on donations from parishioners of St. Noel and Divine Word to meet the needs of our clients.  The Food Bank distributes money based on how many clients there are. Some food is free, other food has a minimal charge. Once a month June-Sept. there's a farmer's market at St. John's Vianney for all the Lake County clients. Clients come to our pantry with a photo ID, and proof of residency and fill out paperwork to qualify. Approval is immediate. We have meat delivered once a month."

"My hope for this ministry is that it goes away, because that would mean, no more hungry people in our area.” The clients know me & its very rewarding. But unfortunately, we've had more people involved as the need has grown.  We now serve 66 families in Kirtland, Willoughby and Willoughby Hills.  I always try to help people - especially the elderly. I've been blessed, so I'm there to help as much as I can. I'm pretty happy to do it."

Bob helps a client fill her order.

Bob Tomkalski and Sandy Walker are part of the crew in the Food Pantry.

We celebrate Bob Wollen and his gifts and thank him for sharing them with our community. Want to learn more about the St. Noel Food Pantry or any other ministry? Call the parish office at 440-946-0887.

If you have questions concerning any information contained on the Saint Noel Parish Web site, contact us. Our staff will answer your questions or forward you to the appropriate individual or group.

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