Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry Ministry

Volunteers (L-R) Jim Hymer, Joan Hayes, Mike Hayes, Jill O’Bannion, Worth Pearsall, Rev. Ronald Long, Doris Kelley and Shirley Britt

Started by Brunswick Islands Baptist Church, the Food Pantry on Mt. Pisgah Road in Supply is a well-oiled machine, feeding more than 5,000 people last year, and is on track to feed more than 6,000 this year. They serve their neighbors in need with dignity, respect and a big serving of hope. Started in 1998, it’s now a full-time operation with five volunteers working Monday through Friday, and 20 working on the first and third Tuesdays when they are open to the public. We talked to some volunteers who make it happen.

“Cars start lining up way before we open at 8 a.m.,” said Marion Davis, fundraiser for the pantry. “Doris Kelley, our director, and Shirley Britt, greet each of the 70 to 100 cars that will come through, and check them in. We only do a few people at a time, and they are given a buggy and an empty box. They help themselves to what is essentially a small grocery store. We have a walk-in refrigerator and freezer, so we offer a variety of fresh and frozen foods, meat, eggs, vegetables, baby food, packaged and canned foods. They take what they want, which is different than other pantries, where they may just be handed a standard box of food. It’s more difficult for us logistically, but well worth it for how happy it makes those we serve,” explained Marion.

“Last Tuesday a woman told us this makes the difference between buying medicine or eating.”

“We’re in community partnership with the NC Food Bank, Publix, Food Lion, groups like BEMC that give us grants, and our volunteers,” said Mike Hayes, who runs the pantry with his wife, Joan. “Every day we transport food from the grocery stores, unload it, monitor its quality and expiration dates, and weigh and record it. We do the same with other donations we get, including from ‘A Second Helping’ run by realtors who collect unused food items left over from vacationers.

“We want everyone to feel welcome,” said Joan. “Last Tuesday a woman told us this makes the difference between buying medicine or eating. A construction worker in his late 20s, who said he never thought he’d be in this situation, has a wife and three kids at home and not enough work. If he waited in line, he’d be late for the work he did have, so Mike fixed him a box and brought it to him.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” added Mike. “Sometimes it’s the difference between making a house payment or not. A couple and their kids, 3 and 5, came Tuesday, and the kids were so excited when they started putting stuff in the buggy – ‘I want that!’ – ‘That’s mine!’ It was worth working the whole day to see how happy they were. It’s amazing how good it makes you feel to see someone get the food they need.”