Gluten Free Food Pantry Joplin

For those of you who are newer to this blog...I have had some inquiry's about where we are giving out the gluten free food that is sent for those affected by the tornado in Joplin. We actually have two locations. One is at the home of the leader of the Southwest Missouri Celiac Support Group Joplin. (that would be me:) )and as I am a little hesitant about putting my address on a public blog please email me at glutenfreejoplin@gmail.com
and I will give you directions.
In some cases we are taking food to people as some still don't have good transportation. (thousands of cars were destroyed in the tornado).
The other location to pick up gluten free food is at "Mission Joplin" a ministry of Forest Park Baptist Church. The church is on 7th and Rangeline and "Mission Joplin"
is a block south at 8th and Highview in Joplin. We are trying to keep their three gluten free shelveing units stocked.
The church is north of the path of the tornado and we live south of the path of the tornado so that should accommodate most folks who are in need of the gluten free food.
For those of you who are wondering what to send in the way of donations,at present we would most need snack bars and protien bars and that kind of thing as those do not need cooking.
Due to the generosity of many vendors like Bloomfield s, Domata and Better Batter we have quite a few cake, cookie and pancake mixes and although people will be using those soon...our weather here in Southwest Missouri is extremely hot ( many days of over 100 degrees this month) so many of us who have homes and ovens are not wanting to do much baking but fall is just around the corner. At least that is what I am trying to tell myself....we still have August to get through...ugg!!
Also we find that there has been a need to give easy gluten free snack things like bars, cookies, chips and nuts to volunteers who have been working long hours in the tornado area helping people clear their lots and such. Many churches and service organizations are still giving meals to volunteers but those that have Celiac disease or are gluten intolerant are out of luck for that kind of thing.
I am seeing through all this that the Celiac community is a very generous people giving both donations of gf food and also giving of their time and energy to help others. I hope this clears up some things. Stay Cool! Rita G