Kentland Community Supporter: Peg Rhanor

I was born and raised here in Morocco. I moved down here to the farm. I married Lon Rhanor from Freeland Park. We have three children, two girls and a boy. We farmed for a while. He worked at John Deere for 38 years, and I was a beautician for a while. We go to the Covenant Federated Church, and that’s how we got involved with the Pantry. From there, we’ve had 30-some years with it. We’re getting a little bit older, so we take it day by day.

I think I’ve been at the Food Pantry for about 35 years. Gary Webster started it many years ago, and it never really took off. Another couple took over for a couple of years, and then they asked me if I wanted to try it, and I said I would. The first year, we only had about 15 people we took care of. So I gave talks to the churches, the Rotary, and anybody that will listen to me and we built it up. At one point we were hosting 100 people twice a month. With COVID and how much money was given, our entry kind of dropped off. As of now, we’re up to 30 to 50 people. I think the largest family that we have now is 10 members.

The Pantry is operating every first and third Monday of every month. On the first Wednesday, we go to Francisville Humanitarian Distribution and we get about 2,000 pounds of free food that can range from chips and cereal to frozen goods. It’s already loaded on pallets for us. Once a month, we also go to Food Finders in Lafayette where we get produce items like potatoes and onions. We’ve been very, very blessed with contributions as well.

I love working at the Pantry. I have held people in my arms that were terminally ill. And I’ve been there when they’ve been absolutely happy. They’ve helped me along the way with all my ups and downs, too. I hate having to give up my work at the Pantry someday. And it just breaks my heart at the thought that some people might not be able to get the food they need.

I worry about them. And now, after COVID, we couldn’t let him in. I have someone that goes out and gives them their form. And I don’t have contact with them. Once in a while, I’ll just take a walk and hug them and talk to them. It’s just my thing in life.

A long time ago, the men’s group met every Monday morning for coffee at the church, and I would go in and work in my little Pantry. People start coming in and finally, I had to go down to the men’s group and I asked my husband, “Would you come and help me? I’m really swamped.”

So that’s how the men’s group started working in the pantry originally. Now we’ve got Dave, Estella, Deb, Sally, Meagan, Lori, Rose, Phil, Bill, Carolyn, and Linda. My husband, too – I couldn’t do it without him. And then we have a couple that comes from another church to help. We have about eight volunteers every Monday. We’ve got a guy from the Remington area that comes every first and third Monday. He’s not connected to our church, but he loves working with the people.

At the end of the day, I want people to know that the food pantry is here. It’s surprising– someone will say, “I didn’t know you had a food pantry in Kentland.” We’ve been here for over 30 years– and we’ll continue to love and serve our community well.