MEMBER AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

Grateful Bread Food Pantry

On November 28, 2007, the staff of Christian Appalachian Project and guests celebrated the opening of the Grateful Bread Food Pantry in Mt. Vernon, Ky. The new pantry is the star in a crown of many food outreach ministries supported through the association of Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) and God’s Pantry Food Bank.

CAP has recently renovated and insulated the Williams Street building, which now provides several rooms for the pantry in an area of offices for this outreach ministry. During the open house Sister Margo and Peggy Hancock were proudly showing visitors the new pantry and during the tour offered a smorgasbord of food and drink to add to guest’s celebration.

The pantry grew out of the Mobile Pantry initiative of 2005 and 2006. The Mobile Pantry initiative is a partnership between God’s Pantry Food Bank and local social service organizations. During the 12-month program, 100 boxes of food and fresh produce was brought to Mt. Vernon and distributed to 100 locally identified families in need. Following the Mobile Pantry CAP began planning for a pantry, which included adding the responsibility to an existing agency, developing the space and budget for the pantry.

Their planning came together in the summer of 2007, when plans were completed on the renovation of the building and managers of both outreach and the spouse abuse shelter, Robyn Renner and Peggy Hancock, worked out the details. The designation of Sister Margot as the primary person responsible for the pantry operation was the final item needed to bring the pantry into being. Although the pantry has already started serving families, its official opening date is December 4.

In addition to this newest member agency CAP has 8 other organizations in partnership with God’s Pantry in Rockcastle County. These 8 agencies represent a great cross section of agencies supported through the food bank’s member agency program.

Food from God’s Pantry in part supports meals, and snacks and drinks in their child development, spouse abuse, drug/alcohol recovery, respite care, outreach, and short and long term volunteer programs. The outreach office also distributes commodities from their William Street building monthly.

We thank the staff and volunteers at the Christian Appalachian Project for their efforts and dedication in meeting the needs of needy families and individuals in our fight to reduce hunger in Kentucky.

Written by John Lancaster, Agency Services Coordinator for Rockcastle County.