The sunshine streamed in the front window creating a warm, inviting space for the wide white shelves neatly lined with canned food. Just under the window a play rug, basket of toys and child-size table sat waiting.
Smiles filled the room as Gretna Neighbors board members welcomed sponsors and other community members to the food pantry’s new location at 107 Cort Plaza, just south of Bryan Street on Highway 31/6.
“Isn’t it great?” board member Jeanne Ralston said. “It’s double the size of where we were at, and you can just come right in.”
The local nonprofit organization held an open house Nov. 1 to offer sponsors and other invited community members a look at the new space, which is twice the size of the previous location and at street level.
Since 2006, the pantry had been located in the basement of Resurrection Lutheran Church on McKenna Avenue. As the pantry and its client list grew, space and accessibility became an issue for the board members.
With the new, larger location, the pantry volunteers hope to expand the services and assistance offered to those in need in the Gretna community. Currently, the pantry helps 10 to 15 families a month and more than 120 a year.
Gretna Neighbors hopes to be able to assist more families and also offer other programs, such as back-to-school backpacks and warm clothing in the future.
In addition to the food pantry, which is open to anyone who resides within the Gretna Public Schools boundaries, Gretna Neighbors also offers immediate, short-term financial assistance to families who need help with utility bills or rent.
To make the move possible, the Gretna Neighbors created a sponsorship program. Through the program, community members and businesses commit to a sponsor level for three years. The organization currently has 12 sponsors participating in the program.
With fall food drives beginning at several Gretna area schools and businesses, the pantry volunteers are looking forward to filling the new shelves in time for the holidays.
