In November, the food pantry in Plymouth shut its doors just before Thanksgiving, leaving many in the community anxious. Last week, however, hope returned as the town council decided to reopen it.
The meeting was filled with tension. A 2-2 vote on a lease for the pantry ended when Mayor Crystal Davis stepped in to break the tie. The council approved a lease for the United Full Gospel Revival Center of Plymouth to operate a new pantry in a town-owned space on 811 Washington Street, near the old Roper intersection.
The lease is set at just $1 a year, which raised eyebrows among some council members. Councilman Jerry Rhodes and Councilwoman Micah Weathersbee were concerned about subsidizing a church organization. “The market rent for such a building is $350 a month, totaling over $4,200 in benefits,” Rhodes argued.
Mayor Davis defended the decision, stating that several nonprofits in town have similar lease agreements without issue. She believes this pantry will provide essential support to those in need.
Reopening this food pantry is crucial as food insecurity remains a pressing issue. According to Feeding America, one in eight people in the U.S. faced hunger in 2021, and the need for community support has only grown since then. Providing resources like food pantries can offer immediate relief to families struggling to make ends meet.
The United Full Gospel Revival Center aims to get the pantry up and running soon, and we’ll keep you updated on this promising development. The community is eager for news and support, as social media reactions highlight the pantry’s importance to many. Each step taken to assist those in need is a step towards strengthening the entire community.
For more on food insecurity and the impact of local pantries, check out the Feeding America report.
