LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport’s Ginger Ingersoll earned a California Food Handler certificate through the National Restaurant Association to manage enhanced programs at St. John’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry.

Ingersoll’s new expertise enables St. John’s Food Pantry to expand the number of children served and improve quality of food distributed to needy Lake County families.

“St. John’s Food Pantry program is now enhanced by partners Redwood Empire Food Bank and North Coast Opportunities,” said St. John’s Parish Priest Fr. Leo M. Joseph, O.S.F.  “Ginger’s certification and additional church assurance to the agencies cemented the partnership and expands our pledge to end hunger locally.”

“In addition to nonperishable food, we now provide nutritious food including dry beans, rice, milk, fruit juice, tomatoes, chicken stock, pasta, tortillas, bread, and many more shelf items,” said Ingersoll. “Through these partnerships, we also offer fresh onions, garlic, corn, carrots, celery, oranges, bell peppers and more.”
 
St. John’s parishioner Vicky Maley of Kelseyville provides Spanish language assistance each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when food is distributed to families with children at the entrance of St. John’s Basement Boutique on Clearlake Ave., Lakeport.  

Eligibility forms are available in English and Spanish.

Many know St. John’s Episcopal Church as the architectural jewel that has stood on the corner of North Forbes Street and Clearlake Avenue in Lakeport for 113 years. Many, many others know the church for its ongoing Food Pantry and Basement Boutique Thrift Shop staffed by volunteers and church parishioners.

For further information, please call Fr. Leo Joseph at 707-349-6563 or see St. John’s Web site www.saintjohnslakeport.org .