For the past seven years, elderly and disabled clients of the Serving Our Savior (S.O.S.) food pantry ministry at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Hernando could be driven with their groceries to their car by someone in a golf cart.
Last Sunday this came to a screeching halt when the plum-colored golf cart with the eagle decal was stolen from the church property.
“It’s been the trademark of our pantry, taking people to their car,” said John Bourdeaux, longtime S.O.S. coordinator. “I don’t know why somebody would do that...This was our second cart -- it wasn’t brand new, but we had several thousand dollars in it.”
He said whoever stole it also took the battery charger. The battery alone had cost them about $800.
“It was an integral part of our weekly pantry ministry,” he said, explaining that the church parking lot is at one end of the church building and they operate out of a space on the other side.
“So, it was important for the people to have someone take them to their car,” he said. “It’s a cruel thing to do -- it affects people with physical needs.”
S.O.S. began as a ministry of Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church in 2004, serving about 40 local families. Today, 10 churches are involved, serving between 110 and 160 families per week. Families are eligible for food once every two weeks.
Hours are from 7:30 to 11 a.m. on Thursdays at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 439 E. Norvell Bryant Highway (County Road 486), Hernando.
People in need of food need to bring a valid driver’s license or government-issued ID card and Social Security card for each member of the household.
As for the stolen golf cart, Bourdeaux said the sheriff’s office came out and took their information. They hope to get the cart back, but realize that that may not happen.
“Some of our clients said we should put a donation jar out,” he said. “They said, ‘We don’t have much, but we’ll contribute what we can.’”
In the meantime, they have people directing traffic so people can drive their cars around the building to pick up their groceries. It’s not ideal, he said, but it will have to do.
