Grace Lutheran Church in Rural Retreat has found a new way to reach out to the community, and it sits just outside the red brick church at the parking lot. There, a white pantry is stocked with food and toiletries people need, but may not have the resources to purchase.
It even has a name: Katie’s Pantry, named after the wife of Martin Luther, father of the Protestant Reformation.
Sitting on shelves behind the pantry doors is everything from cereal and fruit pies to laundry detergent and diapers. Below the pantry is a sign that says, “Take what you need. Give what you can. God bless you.” It is open 24/7.
Pastor Jonathan Hamman learned of similar pantries about a year ago on a Lutheran clergy Facebook page. The idea is based on the popular Free Little Library project, which encourages people to take a book/return a book.
When Hamman mentioned the idea to some parishioners, Stephanie Hamm knew exactly what he was talking about; she even had an entire Pinterest page devoted to community pantry ideas. She pinned ideas for what she thought might one day make good community service project for her Boy Scout sons.
“So, I pinned every picture of little free pantries as I could,” she said. “As soon as he (Hamman) started talking about it one Wednesday, I nearly jumped out of the pew.”
Hamm said the pantry is open to anyone in Wythe or Smyth counties, or “whomever is in need.”
“We realize that there are many programs in the community such as HOPE Packs and Agape Food Pantry; however, there are many people that still fall through the cracks. We are hoping that this free pantry will serve as a way to reach those who are in need.”
Chip Vernon, the son of church members Sandy and Glenn Vernon, built the pantry and members of the youth group put it together at the edge of the parking lot near the church.
“It’s a work in progress,” Hamman said, adding that church members faithfully check on the pantry to make sure there are items inside.
“Whoever has a few minutes will take a look, and there’s a donation box at the church,” he said. “A lot of folks in the community have stopped in and donated items.”
The most popular items taken from Katie’s Pantry include laundry detergent, toilet paper and toothpaste.
“If you are down to your last dollar for food, you are not wanting to spend money on those things,” Hamm said
Diapers are popular, too.
“And if we get toilet paper in there, it’s gone,” she said.
Both the pastor and Hamm are happy with the pantry, which has been open for almost a month.
“I’ve been amazed,” the pastor said. “We’ve had random people stop to help. One person brought a bag of groceries. It’s really neat; it is something the community is grabbing onto.”
“I am so pleased,” added Hamm, who lives across the street from the church. “I kept watching to see. I was worried nobody was going to use it. The first day, I went over and saw people had taken things, and I just cried. I was like, this is good and people need this. Maybe we are onto something here.”
To reach Millie Rothrock, call 276-228-6611, ext. 35, or email mrothrock@wythenews.com
