Belmont UMC will be the Pantry Partner for the Homeless Education Resource Office (HERO) in September. This means we have agreed to stock the HERO pantry just as school is beginning. Metro’s HERO program serves about 3,500 children/ youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence each year. The items are distributed to families in the program by support staff who work directly with students and families. We will be collecting the requested food items today through September 10 in the bin marked “HERO Pantry Partner” in the Iris Room entrance area.

We will also be collecting Kroger gift cards and donations to buy the requested items. Please make checks out to Belmont UMC with “HERO” in the memo line. You can put your gift card donations in the drop box outside of Mark Hagewood’s office, or look for Gretchen Napier in the Iris Room entrance area from 8:30-9:00am and 10:00-10:30am on Sundays, July 30, August 13 and 27 (she'll be holding an orange shopping basket).

Mac and Cheese – single serve and boxed
Pop-Top Chef Boyardee or other pasta meals
Tuna or Chicken salad kits – in vacuum-sealed pouches with mix-ins and crackers
Canned Chicken Breast
Hearty soups in individual microwavable bowls
Shelf-stable microwavable meals (often found near Mac and Cheese - brands like Hormel, Kraft, and Velveeta)
Microwavable cups of vegetables (Libby offers these)
Cans of vegetables
Pre-Cooked pasta pouches (Barilla brand offers this)
Pasta sauce – tomato and alfredo
Fruit cups - Pears, Peaches, Mixed
Oatmeal and cereal in single-use bowls
Shelf-stable milk – in quarts or single-serve (Horizon/Parmalat)
Bottled water
Drink mixes (lemonade or Gatorade powder, etc.)
Rice and Mashed Potatoes in single-use bowls
Dried beans to be cooked stovetop (black, pinto)
Dried rice to be cooked stovetop (white rice)
Kid-Friendly snacks – gummy fruit snacks, cheese crackers, granola bars, etc.
Small (serving size) and larger (mixing, preparing) microwavable bowls – new or used!

Download the HERO Pantry Grocery List.
Find out more about the HERO Pantry Partner program.