Locust Grove Food Pantry Achieves Donation Milestone to Continue Serving the Community

A local food pantry in Locust Grove recently hit a significant milestone, raising $100,000 to secure its future. This effort came after concerns about the pantry’s potential closure, which could have left many community members without essential support.

Bonita Smith, a regular visitor, highlighted how the threat of closure opened people’s eyes to the pantry’s vital role. “It made people think about what was going on and what could happen,” she said. Each month, the Locust Grove Food Pantry serves around 1,500 people like Smith, making it a lifeline for many families.

In a surprising turn, Shanny Weaver, the pantry’s CEO, announced that the community raised half of the needed funds, with additional support from local businesses, including the Rae company in Pryor. “We were just in shock… word of mouth and media coverage helped us tremendously,” Weaver shared. The fundraising effort took just four months, an inspiring feat for a beleaguered community resource.

The pantry’s success means it can now expand its services. They plan to provide not just food but also clothing and a cooling station for those in need. Weaver expressed her gratitude to the community, saying, “I’m overwhelmed and just blessed.”

This story reflects a growing trend in community-driven support. According to a recent survey by the Food Research & Action Center, food insecurity remains a pressing issue, with many Americans struggling to access nutritious meals. Local efforts like those in Locust Grove remind us of the impact shared resources can have on vulnerable populations. As Smith optimistically noted, “Things can only get better from here, and they are.”



Source link

2 works for you,2 works for you news,channel 2 news,green country news,kjrh,local news tulsa,oklahoma news,tulsa news,tulsa weather