Everyone is someone. This is why every third Saturday of the month we open our doors to a waiting line of people who have traveled to the food pantry, possibly on their last $5 hoping to get good nutritious food to feed their most valuable assets, their families. We meet them, hear their stories and pray that the small amount of food we can provide them will get them through this hard time. We can only hope the next person in the line is not the last person we will be able to help? Would someone help them if we couldn’t? What about their children, and/or elderly parent? Will they just be hungry this month? The main task of the Lutheran Women's Mission League is reaching out and helping others. However, with the food pantry we find that many people reach out to us. In the beginning the food pantry served those in emergent need by calling a member of the LWML. About 3 years ago the LWML decided to open one Saturday a month for 6 hours to meet the new regulations from the Little Rock Food Bank, where we purchase food. We advertised by word of mouth and one article in the newspaper however in just a short time we did not need to have any advertisement to the community. People began sharing the valuable information to those in need. On the first few Saturdays we would have about 10 families and could prepare the boxes as the people arrived however, it has become such a large project we have prepared boxes prior to their arrival and add in extras to meet the family’s needs. Now, in 2012 we regularly serve 60 to 80 families or 200 to 250 people a month. And often are able to participate in the backpack program at Dover Schools, serving about 50 a week. Again, everyone is someone. We do not discriminate against anyone based on religion, age, race, creed, income, etc. We help anyone who comes to the food pantry asking for help and leave it to the person to be honest not us to judge the need. Most food pantries do require financial information to receive food however this is not true for our food pantry. We ask age, number in the family, employment status and if this is their first time to the pantry. These are required by the Little Rock Food Bank. But it also does allow us to try to adapt the food box to meet the person’s specific needs. At the pantry we often have large families with young children and we try to put foods in the box that children will like and are easy to prepare for themselves. The same is true for the elderly people who come to the pantry with special needs. This is personal to each and every one of us. This is OUR community and the next person in line could be a member of the Zion or a member of our family who is in need.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (479) 331-3277 to book your appointment.
Address :
93 Augsburg Rd,
London, AR 72847.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
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- Sat:
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Help Residents of Cities:
- London
Help Residents of Counties:
- Pope
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (479) 331-3277 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
Food Pantry in Near By County
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.