Our Neighbor’s Cupboard offers hope, compassion – Published in the August 23-29 edition of the JC Sentinel
This week’s Member Spotlight is on Our Neighbor’s Cupboard (ONC), a local food pantry located at 106 N. Burris Avenue in Tishomingo. The 501©3 has been in operation since May of 2017 and is completely volunteer-operated. It is a client-choice pantry which means that clients get to ‘grocery shop’ for the items that they want opposed to giving them a pre-packaged box of goods that may not be helpful to them. Amber Wooley, pantry coordinator said, “Our heart is to meet people where they are, and offer them hope and compassion like Jesus did for the woman at the well.”
Our Neighbor’s Cupboard serves all of Johnston County and is a partner of the Regional Food Bank, Senior Corp, and United Way. ONC is also a Commodity Supplement Food Program (CSFP) distribution site, serving 72 senior citizens in the county each month. There are several ways that you can support the Cupboard as a local – did you know that a $25.00 donation will provide 125 meals for people needing food right here in Johnston County? That’s amazing! While donations of grocery items like cereal, beans, rice, canned soups, and peanut butter are needed, monetary donations can go even further. You can become a monthly donor or can lend a hand. Volunteers are needed – even if for only a few hours a month – to unload food boxes on delivery days (2nd Friday), help stock shelves, assist shoppers with creating meals, etc. The pantry is also currently in need of grocery bags, so please save them once you’ve done your shopping and drop them by the collection box outside the front door when you get a chance.
For more information, please visit the ONC Facebook page where you can send a message or call 580-219-0665. Hours for the pantry are Monday & Tuesday 4:00-6:00pm and Thursday 9:00-12:00pm.
Read next week for a Spotlight on Citizens for the Protection of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer (CPASA).
Make sure to go out to the County Fair and check out all of the exhibits this week. There is plenty to see and do on Kid’s Day (Thursday), Adult’s Day (Friday), and Family Day (Saturday). For a list of events visit the Chamber Calendar online! Saturday also includes Little Indian Football here in Tishomingo, a Pine Needle Basket class, and Movie Night at the Museum on the Capitol lawn. We’ve also got Women’s Biz Connection next Tuesday and a calendar full of other activities so make sure to go see what’s coming up or subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter!
“Progress: You may not be where you want to be, but you’re not where you used to be.” Unknown