The Grace Community Food Pantry has been devastated since COVID-19 virus; however, we have permission to remain open. Our church and food pantry is located in a very financially depressed area in Atlanta, GA. The majority of the people we serve are those who are homeless living in tents, abandoned 18 wheel trucks, under bridges, living in hotels with children, seniors living alone, and men & women who reside in ex-offender re-entry programs. Our food pantry distributes actual groceries, it makes people feel self-sufficient because they can cook or eat open and ready to eat food. The food pantry has changed so many lives. Some of our recipients become volunteers to show their gratitude and to give back. People who move from recipients to volunteers tend to see their lives getting better. People don’t want a hand out, they want better for themselves and their families. We don’t only distribute food; we also provide a list of resources such as job postings, apartments, housing, personal home buyer programs, birth certificates, identification, etc. Actually our pantry is less about handouts but more about providing and encouraging self-reliance and personal empowerment.
Our pantry normally serves 200 or more families per week amounting to over 20,000 pounds of food a month. Since the virus, we have more than tripled those served. Receiving a grant will help the pantry to purchase more food and expand in areas to better serve our patrons who are less fortunate. We rely on the generous donations from the community, church congregation and grocery stores.
We supply a wide variety of canned and packaged goods such as meats, fish, soup, vegetables, fruit, juice, rice, beans, pasta, cereals, and bread. Because balanced nutrition is important, we also carry a wide variety of fresh produce – items such as apples, oranges, bananas, lettuce, carrots, potatoes and onions. And, whenever possible, we include fresh meat, poultry, and dairy products including milk, eggs, yogurt, and cheese. We also have personal care items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, razors, and diapers for the babies. Please tell us about any special dietary restrictions you have – for example low-sodium, low-sugar, kosher, or vegetarian, and we will do our best to satisfy these needs.
