The following is a letter from our Food Pantry Coordinator, Ina Horton:
Request for Food for Food Pantry
The Community Food Pantry housed at First United Methodist Church is experiencing a noticeable increase in the number of requests for food assistance. With the closing of local plants leaving families without jobs, there has been a gradual increase in requests for food in the past several months.
In September the Food Pantry assisted 55 families. This included 94 adults and 63 children, making a total of 157 people receiving food. This is the highest number of requests ever received by the Food Pantry in one month.
For the first six months of 2008, Food Pantry requests were up 73% over the first six months of 2007.
The Food Pantry was started many years ago by the Carroll County Ministerial Association to provide emergency food to those in need. First United Methodist Church, Hillsville, provides space to store the food and the pantry is staffed by volunteers.
The Food Pantry does not receive budgeted funds from the First United Methodist Church budget. It is supported with donations of money and food items from local churches, organizations and individuals. A small annual grant from the Emergency Food and Shelter Board of Carroll County Department of Social Services was received in May and these funds were spent in May, June and July.
For the next few Sundays a box will be placed in the church lobby to receive food items for the needy.
If you feel led to help in this ministry, please drop off food when you come to church or a cash donation may be made to FUMC Food Pantry.
Ina Horton
Food Pantry Coordinator