Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Tuesday

Rain threatened all day but we managed to get through it without any. That is a good thing as so many are still trying to pull out cherished possessions from the heaps of rubble that was once their home.
I went to The Bridge here in the south end of Joplin, where many of the volunteer organizations are set up. At their food tent I left my name and contact information in case they had Celiac's looking for gluten free food. I was told that they did have a couple people looking yesterday. It makes me so sad to think of people who are not able to get what they need to eat. I also left my info in the main information area of the Bridge itself.
Then I went on to Forest Park Baptist Church to check on the Gluten -free Pantry we set up Sunday. I made a list of what was needed and straightened it up a bit. The Udi's Granola and the Lundberg Chips that were there seemed to have been especially popular as there was not much left. A couple workers told me that it was a wonderful idea to have the gluten free food there for those who need it.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day 2011

Memorial Day 2011 is about to wind down but it has new meaning to those of us in Southwest Missouri. Not only are we thinking of the fallen military and our families who have gone before but we are remembering the many who have died in this devastating tornado that went through Joplin just last Sunday
Those of us in the area who are gluten intolerant or have Celiac disease are greatly encouraged by the generosity of the Celiac community at large who have expressed sympathy, sadness and a desire to make sure the folks who must eat gluten free in this area have food they can eat.
Just as my family was finishing up a little Memorial Day barbecue a gluten intolerant lady named Jennifer came to my door with her three children, a son and two daughters. The girls have Celiac disease. Every day they have been going into the tornado area to see who they could help. Wonderful people have been going through the area with sandwiches and food for the rescue workers and those good souls who are trying to help in whatever way they can. Jennifer and the girls can never have the food offered because of their Celiacs. But we gave them a box to fill up and tomorrow when they are helping folks they will be armed with gluten free snacks to tide them over as they work thanks to those of you who have decided to share that no one would go without the food that they need. May you be blessed. Rita G

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Sunday, May 29th update

Hello! This is Johnna, making an update with Rita sitting beside me here in Joplin. Rita is a quick learner (and all-around amazing lady) and will be taking the reigns from here.

This morning we set up an extensive gluten-free pantry at the Forest Park Baptist Church. Rita will be keeping an eye on inventory levels and replenishing as needed.

The overflow is at Rita's house. She has transformed her dining room into a food pantry, truly a gluten-free dream. Just in the last few minutes, a terrific couple from Minnesota, Ted and Dondi, arrived with a donation. The gluten-free community is so incredibly generous! Other donations have arrived, including some really yummy looking homemade cookies from Springfield, and others are scheduled to arrive this week. 
If you are interested in donating, please contact Rita at glutenfreejoplin@gmail.com. She can help you with what is needed at the moment. Thank you so much!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Welcome to Gluten Free Joplin!

Hi there!  This is Johnna from 52 Sweets.  I've started this blog in hopes the gluten-free folks in Joplin can use it to keep the rest of the world updated as to what their needs are following the May 22, 2011 tornado. 

Tomorrow I am traveling to Joplin to meet Rita, the founder of the Joplin Celiac Support Group.  We are setting up a gluten-free food pantry at the Forest Park Baptist Church.  I hope to hand over the keys to Rita so she can keep everyone updated via this blog about what specifically could be used by their community. 

Thanks to all of you who have already generously donated.  Please check back soon for an update.