A chill drizzle fell from the skies on a recent Thursday morning in Columbus. In spite of it, a line of people filled the walkway outside the Bread of Life Food Pantry, patiently waiting for the doors to open. Their reasons for braving the weather outweighed their discomfort.
The number of clients in that line has steadily increased in the year the Bread of Life Food Pantry has been open two days per month at the Columbus Church of Christ. Currently 350 to 400 people come through monthly, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on first and third Thursdays.
It all began on a more humble scale, with a modest cache of food stored in two metal filing cabinets in a church office, to provide emergency assistance to a small number of people. Those included veterans referred to the church by the Columbus chapter of the American Legion, which supplied a grant to purchase food. Need was outpacing capacity.
Marie Polk, a member of the congregation, was watching.
“The Lord worked on me for a year, telling me, ‘You need to do this, I want you to do this,” Marie said. “I just kept thinking that I didn’t have enough time … ”
But the calling was persistent, and Marie answered. Her husband, Bobby, felt strongly about it, too. After they met with the church pastor and elders, wheels were put in motion to expand the food ministry.
Marie applied her organizational skills to research. She and Bobby, as co-directors, traveled to meet with other food banks and agencies that assist the hungry. A plan took shape, and the Bread of Life Food Pantry officially graduated from filing cabinets to its own dedicated space.
To get the word out, fliers went to the Salvation Army, to home health care agencies, to the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen — to anyone who dealt with people who might need assistance, whether temporary or ongoing.
Stretching dollars
The nonprofit Bread of Life pantry purchases much of its stock from the Mississippi Food Network in Jackson, part of Feeding America. “It really helps dollars go as far as possible,” explained Marie.
The pantry receives support from the church, as well as a few generous businesses. Some local stores let the pantry purchase in bulk. And donations of foods or funds from members of the congregation and community are greatly appreciated.
A particular need at present is for cereals.
“And old magazines or children’s books,” Marie said. When the church replaced a supply of Bible storybooks with new ones, the older books were set out for clients, to pick up if they wished. “People just loved them,” she continued. “It dawned on me that many who come to us may not be able to afford magazines or children’s books, so we try to put them out whenever we can.”
Volunteers
Generally 12 to 15 people volunteer. About 150 to 200 brown paper bags are prepacked with basic groceries prior to pantry days. That alone requires about 20 hours of work from two volunteers.
“We prepack our bags and then all we have to do on days we’re open is take the sheet with the person’s name and details about whether it’s a senior, or if there are children in the family, or any special needs, to finish them out,” the co-director said.
A designated table is filled with certain food items clients may select, according to individual tastes. “It gives them a say in what they’re getting,” Marie said. ” … You can see some people, when they walk in the door, how embarrassed they are. We can build them up real quick, because we’ve all been there in some shape or form.”
Tawonn Troop volunteered after bringing his grandmother to the food pantry for assistance one day. He sets up tables, organizes bags and helps clients who need a hand carrying groceries. He wants to give back.
“It’s real important to have places like this,” he said. “It’s a wonderful thing for the community.”
Revelations
The past year has brought home several truths. The Polks have been surprised at the number of clients who have jobs but are still living below the federal poverty level for the size of their family. The number of grandparents raising grandchildren has been revelatory.
At least one-fourth of the clients are older than 50, many living on meager amounts. “So many people don’t realize how critical the help is for some of these people,” Marie stressed.
Another fact has become apparent: The pantry can be a point of socialization — particularly for some who seldom get out due to health, lack of transportation or other challenges. Volunteers offer a caring welcome to all.
Bobby Polk said, “It’s just a way of helping people that need a little extra push to help them get over where they are, and we’ve all been there. Anything we can do to make their lives a little easier, we want to do.”
“In the end,” Marie added, “we’re making relationships.”
Editor’s note: Tax-deductible donations made out to the Bread of Life Food Pantry may be mailed in care of the Columbus Church of Christ, 2401 Seventh St. N., Columbus, MS 39705. For more information, contact Marie or Bobby Polk, 662-328-1517.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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