Woman finds a way to give back to food pantry

Last year Erin Archer of Saylorsburg found herself on disability, not working, and at one point unable to feed her two small children. Reluctantly, Archer turned to the West End Food Pantry for food.

“I was ashamed that I needed to get food from the pantry,” Archer said. “But when I got there everybody was so nice and welcoming. Everyone there was so kind and generous with their time. I was never made to feel bad. It was like these people were my friends.”

In May, Archer returned to work, taking a job as a delivery driver for Domino’s Pizza in Effort.

“I love working here,” Archer said. “And I love the fact that I get to drive and get around, which really helps after having a back injury.”

Last week Archer took notice that the Domino’s products that were at the end of their shelf life were being gathered to be returned to the distribution center and she got an idea.

“I wanted to do something to give back to this community that has been so good and made this one of the highest producing franchises in the area,” Archer said.

“I asked our District Manager Dave Haas if we could make and donate pizzas to the West End Food Pantry,” she said. “Dave was on board right away.”

Archer asked several of her fellow employees to donate their time, and Haas approved the use of the store.

Saturday morning the group, which included Assistant Manager Ariel Jabara, Kevin Rubelowsky, Matthew Liddic, Chad Eick and Archer, met at the Domino’s store on Route 115 in Effort, where they made 30 pizzas.

“We got here about 8 a.m. and were done a bit after 9,” Archer said. “That was actually pretty good since some of them had worked late and closed up the night before.”

The group then loaded up their cars and drove off to Kunkletown to the pantry.

“When they pulled up, our parking lot was closed off because we were full up and in the middle of distribution,” said West End Food Pantry Executive Director Karena Thek. “The constables didn’t know who they were or why they wanted to come in. But we were all so shocked when they surprised us with the pizzas.”

“When we pulled up we were saying we were there to drop off food, not pick it up,” Archer said, laughing. “We were in awe when they said they had over 250 families to feed.”

Thek was grateful to have the pizzas as a special treat for the more than 50 volunteers who were assisting with the distribution on Saturday.

Thek didn’t know at the time the connection that Archer had to the pantry and was stunned when she heard her story of how the pantry had come to her aid. More importantly, Thek was moved by how Archer described her experience.

“I have always felt that sometimes it is not the food, but the love that we share that makes the most impact on our clients,” Thek said. “When I meet with the volunteers, I tell them that it’s more about the love.”

“So let’s not judge, but love,” Thek added.