You may be thinking….I don’t live in the McLaughlin Neighborhood. These aren’t my neighbors. Aren’t they?

Do you remember when you were a kid andyour neighborhood was your whole world? Everthing you needed was within a one mile radius of your home. Your friends, your grocery store, your babysitter, your playground….everything! The world has changed alot. Neighborhood groceries have turned into giant supermarkets, thesprawling of school districts has spread out our friends network, the “invention” of malls and Chuck E. Cheese have created an entirely different sort of playground and the internet has redefined the term “neighbor”. We now live in a “global neighborhood”.

In light of our current economic strife across the country, more families are in need of assistance than have been since the Great Depression. Word is buzzing that the coffers of food pantries are at an all-time low as they enter into their busiest season. Suggested items include: canned meats, canned tuna, macaroni & cheese, packaged dinners, peanut butter, canned soup and toiletries.

Ryke’s Bakerywas born in the midst of the Great Depression, another time of great need. John Ryke was finding it hard to make ends meet. He decided tostart producing a family recipe for butter cookies in his kitchen with his children selling them door to door in their wagon. Much has changed since then, but the recipe for the famous Ryke’s Butter Thins remains the same and the bakery has always made its home in the McLaughlin Neighborhood.Ryke’s current location is less than one block from the original Ryke family home.

So, from October 20 through October 25, bring in your contribution to the Bethany Church Food Pantry to Ryke’s and get your special package of Butter Thins in appreciation. This event is just one of many unconventional holidays and observances that Ryke’s celebrates each month.We want it to be fun for customers when they come in and fun for our employees as they spend their day here.