Shepherd of the Prairie treats Grafton Food Pantry volunteers to lunch

Members of the Community Outreach Ministry of Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley surprised staff and volunteers with lunch and dessert at Grafton Food Pantry in Huntley to acknowledge appreciation for their valuable community work.

Pastor Ryan Mackey, Community Outreach Ministry director Tara Mackey, and committee members Bob and Carolyn Malm and Annette Kandell visited Grafton Food Pantry to personally deliver the delicious lunch and a variety of homemade desserts provided by Shepherd of the Prairie members.

In expressing their appreciation to Grafton Food Pantry, Pastor Mackey and his wife, Tara, said that “They are all so deserving for what they do and the strong impact they make.”

Harriet Ford, president of the Grafton Food Pantry board of directors added, “SOTP has been a wonderful partner in fighting food insecurity in our community. We are blessed with their continued support over the years and it has truly made a difference in our ability to serve those in need. Treating our tireless volunteers to a special lunch, which even included homemade desserts, went above and beyond.”

“I am so proud, too,” said Tara Mackey, “that Harriet lifted us up on how SOTP has been with them from the very beginning — through lean times, COVID, and monthly food drives with our support. What an honor for us.”

The Community Outreach Ministry is active in reaching out to the greater Huntley area. It sponsors several events, including food drives to benefit the Grafton Food Pantry in Huntley, which serves individuals from Huntley, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, and Lakewood.

Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, under the faith leadership of Senior Pastor Mark Boster and Pastor Ryan Mackey, has served the Huntley community for over 20 years. Visit www.sotp.org.