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Church food pantry feeds hundreds each month
Photo by James Nix
Foot of the Cross Food Pantry volunteer Debbie Lewis gives Randy Goodnight a hug after helping him load food for himself at the Foot of the Cross Free Will Baptist Church in Kannapolis.
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Published: November 27, 2009
KANNAPOLIS - Deborah Sutton of Concord said she wouldn't have gone to Foot of the Cross Freewill Baptist Church's food pantry if she didn't need it.
The mother and grandmother recently visited the pantry in Kannapolis for the first time because her family is struggling financially, she said.
Living in a house with her husband, daughter, four grandsons and a great-grandson, with less than half of them currently employed, has made times hard for her family, she said.
"Even with money coming in, it's tough," Sutton said. "It seems like the more money you make, the less you bring home."
Sutton heard about the church's food pantry because her cousin, Debbie Lewis, is a volunteer.
When Sutton arrived at the pantry, she was shocked at the amount of food she received.
"It's been more than what I thought," Sutton said. "Most places, you get very little."
The church's food pantry provides about a month's worth of groceries for those who seek assistance.
It has been operating for about four years and currently feeds about 275 people each month, a large increase over the past year.
"It has picked up tremendously," said Gladys Earnhardt, chair of the food pantry.
Earnhardt said February marked the beginning of the increase of people, going from about 70 who came each month to the pantry, to more than 100. Many of the families who have come this year are struggling because of losing their jobs or having to pay large medical bills, Earnhardt said.
"A lot of families have a choice, to (buy) medication or food," Earnhardt said. "It's really a struggle."
The pantry serves these families and individuals three days each week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Those who seek assistance receive all types of food, including rice, beans, pasta, crackers, bread, frozen vegetables, meat, cereal and canned goods. Volunteers also put in something extra when they find out there are children in the household.
"It makes it more special," Earnhardt said.
Besides the food, volunteers also tend to provide time for listening to stories and praying with those who seek help.
"We do a lot of listening, not out of obligation," Lewis said. "It's that desire and love."
And anyone that comes to the pantry is given food, the volunteers said.
"Nobody has ever walked out without more than enough," Lewis said. "I can promise you that."
Times have been tough for the pantry, though, and volunteers must sometimes give a little less because of the increased demand, Earnhardt said.
"We do get discouraged from time to time," Earnhardt said. "Our food pantry has gotten low, but God sees means for it to build back up."
Volunteers said they do not ask for anything from those who visit the pantry, except identification for record keeping. Families and individuals have offered services or money for the food they receive, but the volunteers said just being able to give makes it all worthwhile.
"You see their face light up," Earnhardt said. "I never thought giving food to someone could make such a difference."
Those who receive food from the church are appreciative of the volunteers and what they provide.
Sherry Harper recently visited the pantry for the second time because she was not sure how she and her boyfriend would survive and be able to support their four children.
When she came to the church, Harper said she was surprised by how friendly and understanding the volunteers were and said the food greatly helped.
"When you've got feeding four kids lifted off you, that helps a lot," Harper said.
For more information about the church's food pantry, contact Gladys Earnhardt at 704-938-7494.
• Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 704-789-9152
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