Small Change At Montco Food Pantry Making Big Difference
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - A relatively small change at a food pantry in Montgomery County is having a big impact.
Previously, when someone came to the Food Pantry on Johnson Highway in Norristown, they were handed a box of food and sent on their way.
"Now people come in, they check in with someone and then they go through the store and shop, and they pick their own food," explains Liz Peteraf with Catholic Social Services.
She says that may not sound like much, but she's seen a huge change – especially in the children who come in:
"Because suddenly, instead of standing with their mom or their dad or their grandmother, and they see them being handed a box of food, suddenly mom and dad are back in control."
Peteraf says they've also changed the name to "Martha's Choice Marketplace" for Saint Martha, who worked with the poor her entire life as a reminder:
"That service should be with a base of respect and of dignity and choice for the people."