Courtesy photo On Jan. 7, the Alpena Baby Pantry is seen receiving donations from Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union. From left, Deb Werner, Alpena Baby Pantry treasurer, and Kathy Shiemke and Morgan Barlow, from AAACU, stand in front of the donations.

ALPENA — The Alpena Baby Pantry, a program of the Alpena and Presque Isle Child Abuse and Neglect(CA/N) team, will reopen next month after closing for two months due to smoke damage from a structure fire that occurred at the St. Bernard’s Friendship Room on Nov. 5.

Deb Werner, Alpena Baby Pantry treasurer, said that the pantry still served families in some capacity since the fire occurred. However, donations had to be stored in the All Saints parish’s garage until the pantry space was repaired

“Due to the chemicals that were in the air, we weren’t even able to go into the baby pantry for two to three weeks,” Werner said. “We lost a lot … diapers, clothing, formula.”

Werner stated that volunteers were able to move back into the Alpena Baby Pantry space last week, and that the pantry plans to be “back in full swing” by February.

Since the fire, Werner said that businesses and community partners stepped up to support the pantry in its recovery efforts. A few community partners Werner highlighted include ServiceMaster, Alpena County Democratic Party, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Stanson Floor Covering and Furniture, Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Star Staffing Alpena, and HPC Credit Union.

“This community is such a giving community,” Werner said.

She added that the pantry received “a lot of anonymous donations,” as well.

Werner explained that volunteers will start hanging clothes in the pantry space next week; however, the pantry is still in need of summer and winter clothing, from preemie to size four.

“We have lots of socks, underwear, and pjs,” she added. “We started to unpack our totes again … there is not a lot of clothing.”

Werner said that the pantry is important to the community because it helps “young families who are struggling, living between paychecks.”

“We wanted to have something for parents … we don’t ask for any income information,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if you are homeless or you are a doctor … we are not going to turn you away.”

She explained that some families return to the pantry over the years for assistance.

“It is kind of like a little community, a family,” she said.

On average, Werner said that the pantry serves 50 to 60 families a month, though some months it may serve less. She noted other organizations, such as the District Health Department No. 4, that also provide similar resources to young families in need.

“There are other organizations that do what we do,” she said.

Werner said that when volunteering at the pantry “you leave there with a warm heart.”

“We have wonderful volunteers,” she added.

Werner explained that there is not much for the pantry volunteers to do at the moment since the pantry is in the process of moving back into its space at St. Bernard church, as it has recently been operating out of the pantry hallway.

However, Werner said that the pantry is still accepting donations. The pantry drop box will reopen next week though the pantry still has its donation drop box available at the Alpena Post Office. Monetary donations are also accepted. For questions regarding donations, individuals should contact the pantry at (989) 464-2790.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.