Faithful volunteers The Motley Area Food Shelf has been busy during "Food Shelf Month" in March, stocking shelves, weighing food items; and loading groceries into boxes which are given out to people in need. Pictured from Staples World photo by Dawn Schimpp Timbs left are Faye Pepin, President of the MAFS Board; new volunteer Sally Hansen; new MAFS Director Marisela Vasquez; and new volunteer Sharon Stone. The Motley Area Food Shelf recently welcomed Marisela Vasquez as it's new director.

"She has been volunteering for at least six months and has done an awesome job," said Faye Pepin who serves as President of the MAFS board. "Marisela is very faithful; and she's effi cient, too."

Marisela is taking over for Iras Chapin, who resigned about three weeks ago after nearly 21 years of service to the food shelf.

At 88 years young, Iras is a beloved fixture in the Motley community; and has been a familiar face to many who stop by the food shelf on Thursdays.

"People miss her," said Faye. "We all want to thank Iras for her many years of service."

Submitted photo For the food shelf On behalf of the Motley Area Lions Club, Harry Meyer presented a check for $1,000 to Marisela Vasquez, the new director of the Motley Area Food Shelf. Meyer said the donation was made possible thanks to charitable gambling at the Ten-Hi in Motley, a venture the Lions have been a part of since last Oct. Faye said she feels grateful and blessed that the food shelf has found another wonderful person to serve as it's director.

"I've been here about 20

years myself," Faye said. "It's very exciting to have

some new blood and young blood join our team."

Marisela and her hus- band Dennis, along with their four children, moved to the Motley area from Laredo, Texas, about eight years ago.

"We love it here, but there have been some hard times, too," Marisela said, adding that she has a special place in her heart for the food shelf. "It was there for me and my family when we were in need," she said. "I am so happy to give back."

This year, there are about two or three new families every month that need to use the food shelf, Faye said.

During March, Food Shelf Month, the MAFS hopes to raise money and food donations totaling $15,000. Last year they raised $11,000, she said.

Because the food shelf can purchase quality food items from Second Harvest Food Bank for much less than it would cost somewhere else, money donations go a lot further than food items.

"But any donation is welcomed," she stressed.

Faye said that they have been grateful to Cub Foods in Brainerd, too.

"One of our volunteers, Donald Eckert, goes over there every Wednesday to pick up bread donations from Cub Foods. It's been wonderful," Faye said.

In addition to helping stock shelves and greet customers, Marisela has been helping to transfer all of the 'index-card information' on to a computer data base.

"She is really helping us get organized," Faye said. "We're lucky to have her on

board."

The Motley Area Food Shelf, located at 679 Third Ave. S. in Motley, is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. - noon.

For more information, call Faye at 218-746-3863.