About Fran Walster and Maltby Food Bank History
During prayer the Lord gave me a vision to start a food bank. With the help and prayers of 4 women, we contacted all the local churches in Maltby telling them of the vision and asking for their help. Three churches responded. Maltby Christian Assembly, Maltby Congregational Church and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. Our official name was and still is Maltby Food Bank.
Our first place was a vandalized mom & pop grocery store on Yew Way called the Maltby Mercantile. We wrote to the local businesses and many responded with materials to remodel the building. It was completed in December and we officially open January 1993. It has been an amazing journey these past 20 years.
We started with 14 volunteers and now have over 60 doing various jobs. We served 15 families the first month and now serve close to 130 every week. We were donated a van for pickups twice a week and now we have two donated trucks that picks up 7 days a week.
It has been a life changing experience for me. My relationship with Jesus has grown so much. I learned trust, faith, the meaning of being His servant and greater compassion. I am forever thankful to Him for choosing me to start the Maltby Food Bank.
I know how it was. I was once a single mom with 3 little girls. There was no food bank available back then. I want our community to know there is a place they can come to during hard times. We are located in an area that is filled with caring people. We would not be what we are today, without this community.
I loved what I did. Maltby Food Bank was my volunteer job that I loved with all my heart. I loved talking with the clients and listening to their stories and needs. We couldn’t always help them with all their struggles, but we could give them a listening ear and pray with them if they wanted us too. The food bank was my joy, my passion and I like the person I have become. I am a better human being today and I am blessed to be one part of this caring, amazing group of volunteers. Thank you guys, you are the best!!
Fran Walster (1946-2023)
You have touched many lives Rest in Peace!