Some two dozen figures from Perry’s commercial classes gathered Friday morning to celebrate the opening of the new Perry Food Pantry at 3112 Willis Ave.
A number of Perry Food Pantry volunteers and board members were on hand to greet the visitors and share sweet rolls and coffee before a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, sponsored by the Perry Chamber of Commerce.
Louis Hoger and Lois Hoger, site director and volunteer coordinator respectively of the food pantry, were congratulated on being named the Perry Volunteers of the Year by a vote of the Chamber board in light of their sustained work on behalf of the pantry.
Representatives of the Perry Lutheran Homes, which houses the Perry Food Pantry, were also congratulated as the Business of the Year. The organization is gearing up for its Project Deliver the Love event in May and seeking volunteers.
The nonprofit Perry Emergency Food Council, which operates the food pantry, was founded in 1981, and founding board member Margaret Harden attended Friday’s festivities. Harden continues to hold a seat on the pantry board.
