Made a difference

Editor,

In this time of economic stress, it’s wonderful to be heartened by news about those who make a difference — those who do more than talk about helping their neighbors. That’s the theme behind what’s been happening in the small, rural communities of Terra Bella and Ducor. Thanks to the generosity of management and employees at Setton International Foods in Terra Bella, hundreds of struggling families are continuing to receive much-needed assistance and food staples during lean times.

 During the 2011 Christmas holidays, over 30 20- to 25-pound turkeys were donated to the Terra Bella/Ducor Food Pantry located at the Church of the Nazarene in Terra Bella, but their generosity didn’t stop there. On Jan. 10, I received a call from Barry Nimitz, production supervisor at Setton’s, that Supervisor Wendy Keith had organized a canned food drive among the company’s employees. The drive was hugely successful. I was invited to pick up the bounty of their efforts, and what a bounty it was! Hundreds of canned goods, boxes of cereals, bags of instant potatoes, peanut butter, bags of Top Ramon and instant soups, and the list went on. It took three full loads to transport it all to the pantry warehouse.

This was not the first, or even the second time that Setton and its employees have gone the extra mile in supporting, not only its employees and their families, but also in reaching out to the entire community. They have touched all our hearts with their heart to help. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Terra Bella Relief Fund and all the hundreds of families we serve, “Thank you Setton International and your generous employees, and thank you Wendy Keith and Barry Nimitz for continuing to make it happen!”

Pastor Terry Barnhill, Terra Bella Presbyterian Church
President of Board of Directors
Terra Bella Relief Fund