ANDERSON, Tex. (KBTX) - The Anderson Food Pantry will soon be under new leadership as the Darst family steps down and hands over the reins.
The Darsts have been in charge of the pantry for the last three and a half years, but now they say it is time to move on.
When the Anderson Food Pantry first started helping the community, they served about 25 families. Now, more than 250 parents and their children receive the help they need to get by.
"There is a community here and a spirit within these walls,” Melissa Darst said. "There's a community of volunteers and clients, but we are all part of one big family."
Melissa and her husband Derek Darst are stepping away to pursue their next calling.
"We love this place," Derek Darst said. "This is something that is so near and dear to our hearts. We absolutely love what takes place within these walls, so there will be a part of us that will be sad to see that go."
"We want to love lavishly and give generously and model what it means to be love in action,” Melissa Darst said. “Watching that slowly come to love and how it's grown is just so rewarding."
The pantry's resources will still be available, but the leadership will look a little different.The Darst family is passing the baton to the Anderson Baptist Church.
"Everyone had the heart to do it and wants to do it," said Anderson Baptist Church Senior Pastor Kyle Childress. "It's just a lot of work and takes a lot of work and a lot of people."
As the Darsts say goodbye to their non-profit 'Mission Reclaimed,' they say they are at peace knowing the community is in good hands.
"It's hard because we love this," Melissa Darst said. "There is good work taking place, the Lord called us to this, so why are we stepping down? It's because the Lord called us to."
The Anderson Food Pantry will continue to run every month, but the church says they want it to be a community-based ministry and will be looking for more volunteers to help run it.
