"Making it Christmas everyday by Paying It Forward"
P.O. Box 159
Elkhart, In. 46515
574-262-4478
M - F 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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| Q: Are you a legal entity? A: Yes. We are a 501C(3) Nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS. All donations are tax deductible. Q: Why is your organization called Santa's Pantry if you're open all year and you're not a food pantry? A: On December 1, 1991 the co-founder of Santa's Pantry was involved in a bad car accident. Two strangers saved her daughters life from a submerged car. In December 1997 she was reminded of this experience when volunteering at a food pantry and having to turn away a father and his children for food assistance because the pantry had ran out of food. Debbie was reminded how there comes a time in everyone's life when circumstances are out of their control and they need help from others. After discussing this with her husband Simon, they decided to put their 12 years experience of playing the Clauses to use as a way to raise food to help others. Before the first "pictures with Santa for food drive" started, the concept of Paying It Forward and helping other 501 organizations exploded and went from a simple thought to a full time 501C(3) organization. Q: Are you a religious based organization? A: No we are not. However, our board members come from many denominations, have very strong faiths and are christians. We recognize that this is our calling and the president of Santa's Pantry will be the first to tell you that she beleives Santa's pantry is a "God thing" Q:How do you determine who you help or how you distribute funds and commodities received? We focus our efforts on organizations whose programs include: education, hunger, youth and family development and humanitarian efforts. We require benefitting organizations to hold a 501C license, hold their own fundraisers to support their organizations and that 90% of monetary donations they receive go back into their organizations to help our community. Q: Are you trying to take Christ out of Christmas? Absolutely not! Although the organization is not a religious one, the founders deep religious beleifs guide their efforts. Commercializing Christmas by using "Santa" is not the goal of Santa's Pantry. The founders support the"concept" of Santa, and this concept supports showing love to others and encouraging others to show love the same. Q: Do you need volunteers? A: YES!!!!! We are always in need of volunteers for a wide variety of things Q: How are you associated with the Pay It Forward Movement? Santa's Pantry is the state coordinator for National Pay It Forward Day in Indiana that is held the 4th Thursday of each April. We have directors around the state that help us encourage communities to reach out with kindness. We work closely with the Pay It Forward Foundation on a regular basis to share ideas and ways to promote the movement. If you did not find the answer to your question please to email us. We're happy to answer any questions! |
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