- Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
New Hope Food Pantry Manager Rose Daugherty, left, Director Victoria Timberlake, and Volunteer Nancy Robertson in the midst of the full shelves at the pantry.
New Hope Food Pantry officials want to ensure the community the pantry is still here and willing to help people in the community.
“A lot of people still don’t know we’re here,” said Victoria Timberlake, director of the New Hope Food Pantry, 410 Fryes Lane in Danville.
March will mark the pantry’s third year of operation, she said, and they still find Boyle Countians who aren’t aware of its existence.
There are also rumors that the pantry has closed, Timberlake said, which are untrue. While it did move for a little while, Fryes Lane is the pantry’s home and it isn’t going anywhere.
New Hope Food Pantry is a non-profit organization created by Timberlake and others after the closing of Harvesting Hope, which she formerly worked with. It does not receive federal, state or county funding, but does receive funding from the city of Danville.
Because the funds come from the city, Timberlake said, they limit recipients to Boyle County residents, with a few exceptions.
The lack of federal and state funding also means there are few restrictions on which residents can benefit. If the pantry accepted those funds, they would be restricted to only helping certain households.
- Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Volunteer Nancy Robertson adjusts food on a shelf at the New Hope Food Pantry.
“That’s not what we want. There are people working hard who are struggling. We want to help everyone,” Timberlake said.
The pantry receives grants from Kroger and is given some foods for free just before they expire at other area stores.
They do ask for proof of residents within a certain household. A form is filled out with names and the address. That household is only allowed to visit the pantry once a month and must shop as one unit. There are guidelines based on the number of members of the family.
Within the last year, a total of 8,475 families visited the pantry. Some of those were duplicates, visiting each month.
Pantry volunteer Nancy Robertson said at the end of November, organizers became concerned about the pantry’s stock. While the pantry has never been advertised in any way, that did prompt Robertson and others to hit the pavement and the phones, looking for donations. With the help of about 30 individuals, a few businesses, eight churches, multiple school groups and various other community organizations, the shelves were filled with more than 5,000 donated food items.
“It shows a willingness to help,” Timberlake said.
- Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Volunteer Nancy Robertson adjusts food on a shelf at the New Hope Food Pantry.
It would be impossible to name everyone, said Pantry Manager Rose Daugherty. But, she said, there are a few individuals and groups that make sure to extend help each month, such as West End Christian Church, and others, like Barbara Chenault.
“We don’t have food and God sends her down,” Daugherty said.
The pantry also accepts clothing and toy donations.
One of the most important aspects of New Hope Food Pantry, said Robertson, is the way people are treated when they come through the door.
“People come in and they want to be invisible. We don’t let them be invisible,” Robertson said. “When they leave, their cart is full and they leave with a little bit of pride.”
She comes to help each Monday, along with about nine other volunteers. Robertson said those who are able have a duty to help those who need it.
“If we ‘have,’ I feel like it’s our responsibility to help those who don’t,” she said. “It’s our responsibility to make sure those shelves are full.”
The pantry is open 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 4-6 p.m. on Fridays.
The pantry needs more volunteers on the days later in the week, Daugherty said.
Daugherty said they do everything possible to keep costs low by not running excessive heat or lights to keep utility costs low. Other expenses include rent and food. Volunteers even buy their own shirts with the pantry logo. No one earns a paycheck from the New Hope Food Pantry.
They can always use more donations, especially things for babies, Timberlake said.
“If we have food, we don’t need money,” she said.
Follow Kendra Peek on Twitter, @knpeek.
SO YOU KNOW
New Hope Food Pantry is located at 410 Fryes Lane, across the lane from the Salvation Army.
To contact Director Victoria Timberlake, call (859) 319-0263 or email victoriamurphy2969@yahoo.com. The mailing address is 310 Young Drive Stanford, KY 40484.
The pantry is open 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; and 4-6 p.m. Friday.
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