Transforming Lives: How a Local Church’s Food Pantry is Nourishing the Salisbury Community

Local Church Installs Food Pantry to Support Community

EAST SPENCER — The Southern City AME Zion Church is stepping up to help its community. They recently installed a food pantry to provide for those in need. Marva McCain, the church’s mission president, got this idea over a year ago. While visiting another church, she saw a mini-library that also offered canned goods. This sparked her vision.

Inspiration struck even more when a former pastor asked, “If our church burned down, would the community miss us?” That question made her realize the church needed to make a stronger impact beyond its walls.

East Spencer Mayor Barbara Mallett shared this sentiment. She said, “It’s great to see us reaching out to the community. This is just the beginning.”

Pastor Tajuan Kyles is excited about this new initiative. He said, “It’s wonderful to see our members embracing our vision to thrive.” Their mission focuses on moving from just surviving as a church to truly thriving, which includes community outreach.

Every letter in “thrive” has a meaning, with the “I” representing Impact. McCain is thrilled to see the church taking this mission seriously. She enlisted the help of the Lazina family to bring the food pantry to life. Robert Lazina built the pantry with durable wood and painted it for protection against the weather.

Once the pantry was installed, McCain and Mallett filled it with canned goods. They want to ensure anyone in need can come by and take food. McCain emphasized, “Everyone is welcome to help themselves.”

Mayor Mallett made sure the cans had easy-open tops, making it simpler for those without can openers. Joseph Evans, the treasurer of the Ministry of Kindness, expressed pride in the project. “There are many homeless people in this area,” he said, “and we’re here to help.”

Others in the community, like Ethel Evans and Howard Fox, also shared their support for the pantry. After the installation, the group gathered for photos to celebrate their achievement.

The day finished with a heartfelt blessing from Pastor Kyles, who prayed for the pantry and its future users.

Beyond the food pantry, Kyles noted other community projects, including a recovery program on Thursdays and sponsoring local Girl Scouts. “These efforts show our commitment to helping people,” she said.

According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 10.5% of households faced food insecurity in 2022. This statistic underscores the need for initiatives like this pantry.

Community-oriented projects like this aim to bridge the gap and provide support where it’s needed most. With ongoing efforts from local churches and organizations, hope is spreading throughout East Spencer.

For more insights on food insecurity in the U.S., visit the USDA’s Food Security Status.

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