Marianne Christenson

By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — “When I’m volunteering, I feel a sense of completion — that life’s full and worthwhile.” stated Marianne Christenson, Rochester. “I’ve been very blessed in my own life. I retired from Edward Jones in 2020. So, I have the time to serve the community.”

Christenson volunteers at the United Ministry food pantry and is on the Salvation Army board, where she has authority to write checks. “I truly believe in the United Ministry’s cause. We help people in need.”

She works at the food pantry from 1-3 p.m. Fridays. “When people come to the food pantry to get supplies for their family, they sit down and talk to me first. They fill out an application at The Cross Church. We keep a record of their address and the size of their household. Unfortunately, some who come to us are homeless. Those with more members in their households get more food. Those with a smaller family will get less.”

Those coming to the food pantry can list the things they need and also note the things they do not need. “We don’t have a lot of refrigeration. We have frozen meat or hot dogs. But the choices are limited. After first-timers check in with me, other volunteers fill their grocery supplies. Then they simply go to the back and pick up their supplies.”

Christenson enjoys conversing with the people. “I get to know their situations and stories. Many of them have fallen on hard times. Some have been needy for generations. With a lack of education and having a poor paying job, life is hard, especially for those with families.”

The food pantry thrives on donations from the community. “Kroger’s sends us their excess bread. They are one of our largest donors. Our volunteer Don Abbott goes shopping for supplies using money donated to us. The Salvation Army of Fulton County gives us 70% of their money from the Christmas Kettles. This year they gave us $20,600. We spent the last of it in August.”

Christenson also volunteers in the United Ministries outreach program. “Families complete an application for help with rent, mortgage or utility payments. Again, the majority have fallen on hard times. Perhaps they are ill or have lost their job. Many work at low paying jobs.”

Unfortunately, some families are prone to hard times. “Education is so important. People who have problems with literacy and little schooling often have children and grandchildren who will be in the same boat.”
The Salvation Army has an emergency fund for fire victims. “It’s especially sad when people come in needing everything. They’ve lost it all.” Christenson volunteers on the board of the Fulton County Salvation Army.

“I consider myself a small part of the operations as a volunteer. Donors are the people who keep things going. We depend a lot on the support of area churches.”

Christenson has lived in Rochester most of her life. “I’m so glad to live in such a generous, thoughtful community.”

She and her husband Don have been married 29 years. Christenson has two sons. The couple have five grandchildren. “The highpoint of our summer is the family vacation we take to Kentucky Lake.

Everyone is there — kids and grandchildren. We’ve vacationed together the past nine years. We have a fish fry at the end of our stay.”