Food pantry opening helps more than 100 people - Advocateanddemocrat

Food pantry opening helps more than 100 people - Advocateanddemocrat

One hundred and three people received bags of free food last Saturday during the grand opening of the Food Pantry and Thrift Store of Tellico Plains.

The new 501© non-profit organization is currently housed in the former American Legion building, located at 214 Bank Street, and is operated entirely by volunteers.

“Most of our volunteers are senior citizens,” said organizer Diana Murphy. “They’ve been a big help to us.”

Dan Murphy, Marjorie Morris, Joann Lance, Sylvia and Ronnie Givens, Cathy, Chris and Cody King, Robert and Jannie Lance, along with Diana, have logged more than 1,000 hours combined in a two-month time frame preparing the Food Pantry and Thrift Store for its opening.

At the grand opening, a blessing was said over the food pantry and organizers had a ribbon cutting to symbolize its opening. There were also vendors on site to assist residents with useful information, including Chota and UnitedHealthcare.

The Food Pantry and Thrift Store of Tellico Plains also recognized a young man named Cody King. King has been helping get the food pantry ready for its opening, helping with painting and organizing.

Organizers said a special thanks to the Tellico Coon Club for allowing them to share use of their building, and for owner Bill Stokely for approving the use.

The following businesses and organizations have donated to the non-profit: Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Heaven Bound Bible Bookstore, Volunteer Federal Bank, Tellico Beach Drive-In, Brown Hill Baptist Church and Rev. Hall, Circle G of Tellico Plains, Tellico Plains Public Library, Kimberly Clark, and Geiser Water Company.

In addition, Murphy said the Mennonite community in Tellico Plains donated fresh produce for the food pantry.

Organizers plan to open the food pantry one Saturday a month from 10 a.m. to noon until they have an idea of how many people need assistance in the community.

“You just have to be a Monroe County resident with a photo ID to receive the groceries,” said Murphy.

The yard sale (thrift store) will open to the public on Oct. 11, 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will continue to open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday thereafter.

If anyone is interested in donating to the Food Pantry/Thrift Store of Tellico Plains, Murphy said they can do so in a variety of ways.

“If they have yard sale items to donate, they can call me and we can meet up for delivery. We are accepting everything but furniture at this time,” she said. “People can also donate food or money to assist us.”

Monetary donations can be mailed to 434 P.O. Box, Tellico Plains, TN 37385. Checks should be written to Food Pantry/Thrift Store.

The organization was also having a food drive at Tellico Plains High School’s Homecoming football game Friday (Sept. 30) night. Barrels were placed at the gate for donations to be made by game attendees.

“We thank everyone who has prayed for our mission to succeed,” said Murphy. “There are a lot of people in need in our community and we want to be able to serve them. We ask people to give with their hearts and with compassion to help us in our mission.”

For more information or to make a donation, contact Murphy at 423-295-5518.

jessica.kent@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101