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Paynesville Press - June 2, 2004

Local foodshelf has new director

By Bonnie Jo Hanson

Pam Williquette Pam Williquette recently became the new director of the Paynesville Community Service Center, replacing Donna Toney who had served as director since 1999.

Willoquette's first tasks will be to learn how the center works and how to support the many volunteers and donors that keep its doors open. "The volunteers here have hearts of gold," said Williquette. The volunteers and the center's donors give their time, their energy, and their resources, she added.

Eventually, Williquette would like to add new volunteers, especially young adults and teens. Her long-term goals include working with the board of directors to find a larger site for the center.

Williquette, who moved to Paynesville three years ago, considers her appointment an answer to a prayer. She was looking for a position where she could serve God and help meet the needs of others. She also wanted a job that would allow her to meet new people, and her new job, she believes, will be ideal.

The Paynesville Community Service Center provides food, clothing, and household items to area residents with needs. It is open every Wednesday: on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on the second, fourth, and fifth Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m.

These hours could be changed, though. During the next month, Williquette plans to circulate a survey to help determine the best possible hours of operation for the center's customers, she said.

Williquette is married to Joe Williquette, the youth minister at the Paynesville Evangelical Free Church, where she is also active. Williquette home-schools her youngest son and is a part-time ministry student at Northwestern College in St. Paul, where her oldest son is also a student.



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