New Pike Road food pantry serves those in need

The generosity and giving spirit of the people of Pike Road is evident in the different outreach programs that many of the area churches have to offer. Stacy Dickinson, a committee member at Woodland United Methodist Church in Pike Road, is excited to share the church’s newest endeavor.

Woodland UMC has opened up a brand new food pantry. It is open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. every third Saturday of the month. The food bank is filled with donated items. Additionally, a committee which includes church members Ashley Davis, Stacy Dickinson, Cam Stanton, Elvin Stanton and Gail Cotney, shop at the Montgomery Area Food Bank and stock up on food so that it can be a shopper’s choice pantry. They offer fresh produce, poultry and whatever is available at that time.

Last month was their first month open and they were able to serve 23 families. Their goal is to reach 50 families per month or until food runs out.

Their hope is to fulfill their mission statement which is “to glorify God through life-changing worship, study, living His word, making disciples and serving our neighbors everywhere.” They rely on prayer and the constant presence of the Holy Spirit to seek and embrace God’s will.

When the food pantry started many years ago, they worked out of a small closet with canned donations from their members. They served on average one family per week, a box of food to last a week. In time they saw the need for a food pantry in the area to serve those who live in and around the community. They joined a partnership with the Montgomery Area Food Bank to help reduce hunger in our community. This enabled them to get so much more food compared to shopping at a grocery store.

A unique feature of their pantry is that it offers shoppers a choice. The people can choose which items they would like, instead of a prepackage box of items they may or may not eat. There will be a variety of food such as fresh produce, meats, vegetables and some non perishables. When available, they may also have a few household goods. By shopping at the food bank, the church can get a variety of items at a very discounted price.

They hope to form a relationship with those in our community who are in need. They have joined with Woodlands Prayer Team to assist with outreach as well. When people in need come to shop for free, they will offer a prayer partner, if desired, to sit down and let them know their specific needs and pray together. All they ask is that a photo ID is brought to fill out a short form.

They want to thank the community of Pike Road for supporting this effort. They have helped to make it successful and also helped to spread the word. They are a work in progress and want to include anyone who has something to contribute.

Their next date for the pantry is Saturday, Sept. 19. Please help spread the word to those in the community who might be able to benefit from this service. Additionally, if you would like to volunteer or help contribute to this cause in some way please contact them. They will accept any non-perishable food. Some of their suggested ideas are canned soup, canned fruit, spaghetti and sauce, peanut butter and jelly, canned spaghetti-o’s or ravioli, saltine crackers, canned tuna and trial-sized toiletries. Please call the church and coordinate a time to drop off donations. They will be happy to accommodate you.

If you are interested in having a fundraiser, donation, or ideas, they would love to hear from you. For more information call 272-7230 or email to office@woodlandontheweb.org. Monetary donations may also be mailed to 4428 Wallahatchie Road in Pike Road. The reality is that they can actually get more food with the monetary donations than people can purchase on their own. The Food Bank makes that possible. Also, please check out their web page at www.woodlandontheweb.org. There will be a link where you may be able to donate money. Updates and other information will be available on their website.

Yahnira Backus, author of “The ‘A’ List,” focuses on east Montgomery and welcomes ideas for future eastside columns. Email her at yahnirabackus@gmail.com.