Hispanics United for Perry (HUP), sponsors of the annual ¡Viva Perry! Latino Festival, made several awards at Saturday’s festival, including the annual Outstanding Citizen Award and the HUP scholarships for local students.
HUP representative Rosa Gonzalez awarded to the 2024 Outstanding Citizen Award to the Perry Food Pantry in recognition of its “exceptional service to our diverse community,” she said.
In accepting the award, Lois Hoger, volunteer coordinator for the Perry Food Pantry, thanked the numerous volunteers who keep the food pantry operating and serving the food-insecure customers. She noted the contributions of the AmeriCorps who are working in Perry this summer.
When the Perry Food Pantry experienced a spike in the number of customers following the closure of the Tyson Fresh Meats plant in June, the seven AmeriCorps volunteered as extra staff in the store and helping with translation, picking up and unloading supplies, taking groceries out to vehicles and personally serving customers.
“Their service was a gift to out temporarily strained volunteer base,” said Hoger, who also thanked the HUP volunteers and all the other pantry volunteers for their help over the past year. She said between 45 and 50 volunteers work at the pantry each month at a variety of tasks and services, according to their skills.
“There’s another group of volunteers who do maintenance, deep cleaning, insulation, defrosting of freezers, translation, cooking classes, bringing in produce from local gardens and so much more,” she said, noting that more volunteers, particularly bilingual volunteers, are always needed.
“If you are interested in helping, contact us thru Facebook, or stop by the store at 3112 Willis when we’re open, Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays 3-6 p.m.,” she said. “Any church pastor or priest can assist also.”
Tim Farmer, president of the Perry Emergency Food Pantry Board of Directors, and Lou Hoger, Food Pantry site manager, also expressed their gratitude to HUP for the Outstanding Citizen Award.
Hoger particularly thanked longtime pantry board member Margret Harden, who was among the original pantry organizers in 1972, when a group representing local churches and organizations in Perry formed the nonprofit pantry.
“The goal of the Perry Emergency Food Pantry is to provide a three-day supply of emergency food and personal hygiene items,” Hoger said. “The pantry only provides these items through donations of money, food and personal hygiene items. Please consider giving assistance as you are able.”
Gonzalez and HUP member Marilyn Herrick also presented the annual HUP scholarships. This year’s awardees where recent Perry High School graduates Sophia McDevitt and Jose Vargas.
