MAGS moves food pantry to park building
Special to The Monitor
MABANK–The Mabank Area Good Samaritans, Inc. food pantry is moving from the First Baptist Church in Mabank to 405 N. Walnut Street, the old YMCA Building in the park.
MAGS president Bill Burnett, says the group plans to complete the move June 23 or 24.
Those being helped by the food pantry will continue the same procedures of calling the church at (903) 887-3921 and program administrator Lynn will tell them when they can pick up their box of food from the new location.
MAGS helps families on a monthly basis, Burnett explained.
The pantry will continue to have the same services available by the same caring volunteers from the member churches of MAGS.
Mabank area churches participating to keep the food pantry stocked are Central Baptist Church, Elm Grove Church, Faith Bible Church, First Assembly of God Church, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, Harbor Baptist Church and Sinners Hope Church.
Donations are also received from local businesses, various Sunday School classes and from memorial gifts. Also civic groups and school groups also support the organization with ongoing collections and food drives.
The pantry has been in continuous operation since 1987.
 

Food manager course set July 19-20
Special to The Monitor
KAUFMAN–Statistics indicate that foodborne illness continues to be a health issue in the United States.
Each year, one in four Americans will become sick, one in 1,000 will become hospitalized, and 5,000 will die due to a foodborne illness.
If under the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) jurisdiction, each food establishment is required to have one certified food manager on-site.
Many people have already received a letter from the Texas Department of State Health Services regarding this.
Under these new rules, each food establishment permitted by the Texas Department of State Health Services must have one certified food manager. New food manager certificates will be valid for five years.
Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Kaufman County, is offering a food manager certification training course.
This program will be offered Tuesday and Wednesday, July 19-20, at Kaufman County Library, 3790 S. Houston.
Cost is $115 and includes training, materials, and the state food manager certification examination.
This program is designed to not only prepare foodservice managers to pass the certification examination; it will also provide valuable education regarding the safe handling of food.
Almost 50 cents of every dollar Americans spend on food, is spent on meals prepared away from home.
Therefore, careful attention to food safety will help keep customers safe and satisfied.
Foodborne illnesses are estimated to cost thousands of dollars in lost wages, insurance, and medical bills.
With these statistics, knowledge of how to prevent foodborne illness is essential.
The benefits of improved food safety include:
• increased customer satisfaction
• improved relationships with health officials and
• prevention of bad publicity and law suits due to foodborne illness
By attending the course, foodservice managers will learn about:
• identifying potentially hazardous foods and common errors in food handling
• preventing contamination and cross-contamination of food
• teaching and encouraging personal hygiene for employees
• complying with government regulations
• maintaining clean utensils, equipment and surroundings and
• controlling pests.
Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices.
For more information about the Food Manager Certification Training course of Texas AgriLife Extension Service, called “Food Safety: It’s Our Business,” call Katie M. Phillips, CEA-FCS at (972) 932-9069 or email kmphillips@ag.tamu.edu. 

VFW marks July 4
Special to The Monitor
SEVEN POINTS–The VFW Post 4376 is celebrating the 235th birthday of America with an all-American luncheon prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary.
Active military and veterans are invited to enjoy the luncheon as special guests.
The luncheon will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, July 4 and will feature hot dogs, apple pie and watermelon.
Also newly installed post commander, Sid McIntosh will give a stirring speech about the freedoms we enjoy as part of the Independence Day celebration.
A flag-raising ceremony is also planned.