GSM Partners with Churches to Provide Mobile Food Pantry

Written by Misty Bowers – At 80 years old, homebound, with no family nearby, life for Jim can be lonely. He lives at the lake and his family can’t often make the trip to down. After his last stroke, he has been unable to drive so unless someone offers him a ride, he seldom leaves the house. More often than not, his cupboards are bare.

There are others like Jim living in the most rural parts of Brown County. Without reliable transportation, taking care of basic necessities like groceries can be difficult without a little help. That’s why Good Samaritan Ministries is partnering with local churches in the North Lake Brownwood area to provide a Mobile Food Pantry program. The goal of the new pilot program is to reach those families and individuals like Jim who may often get overlooked because of their geographical location and lack or limit of transportation.

“We are so excited about this new program and the ability to reach a previously underserved population of our county,” said Leesa Stephens, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Ministries. “This is just the pilot program so we are starting small with one area: North Lake Brownwood.”

Stephens said if this program works as well as they hope, it could open the door for more Mobile Pantries in other rural parts of the county like Zephyr, May, Blanket and Brookesmith.

“Right now we are working with two churches – North Lake Community Church and Crossroads Baptist Church – who actually approached us about the possibility of some kind of mobile pantry in their area,” said Stephens. “We’ve had several meetings and have a plan that we think will work.”

Those wishing to participate in the program can sign-up at either church locations from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 21. North Lake Community Church is located at 3131 Harbor Drive in May and Crossroads Baptist Church is on the State Park Road. After this initial sign-up, food distribution will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Jan. 25 for those who sign up through North Lake Community Church and from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Jan. 26 for those who sign up at Crossroads Baptist Church.

“We have been thrilled to see the level of excitement from all of the volunteers from these two churches as they’ve visited with us and gone through training,” said Stephens. “This is something that has been considered for years at GSM, and we are so excited to finally break ground with this pilot program. Any time we can further our reach into the community to touch the lives of the underserved and food insecure, it’s a great opportunity.”

Stephens noted that the Mobile Food Pantry is still a part of the Good Samaritan Ministries Food Pantry and those who receive food can only do so once a month at just one location: either at GSM or at one of the churches. For more information about Good Samaritan Ministries or the Mobile Food Pantry, please call 643-2273.