Blythewood Food Pantry


St. Andrew's Lutheran Church
1729 Blythewood Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29016
Contact: Pastor Bill Neuman
Phone: 803-735-8598
Email: w-neuman@msn.com

Introduction

Today, in every community, there are families and individuals that for a number of reasons find themselves without money and food. Such situations demand a community's attention, unfortunatley, it general takes government programs several days to respond to these emergencies.

An emergency pantry program offers the community an effective and preplanned system for handling these situations. It is designed to provide a nutritionally balanced supply of food to the needy individuals and families for a limited period of time.

How it Started

The Blythewood Food Pantry was started in 2001 to help the community who suffer from hunger occasionally or regularly. Hungry people may go for long periods of time without food or may have food only during certain times of the month, or have none for such reasons as disabilities, low income, or illness.

Examples of people who may qualify for emergency food boxes:

  • Wage earner is out of work
  • Welfare recipient whose check has been lost or stolen
  • Food stamp recipient waiting for the first stamps to arrive
  • Families in which there has been a recent death
  • Serious illness
  • Domestic problems
  • Victims of natural distastors
  • Elderly who live on a low fixed income
  • Working individuals who have unusual circumstances

    When is the Pantry Open?

    The pantry is open on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 10:30 A.M. or as needed for emergency assistance.

    Those wishing to access the food pantry are asked to call the church office at least one day ahead to let us know you will need assistance. There is an initial intake interview for any new individuals or families.

    Who May Refer People?

    Individuals or families in need may contact the pantry themselves by calling 735-8598 and setting up an appointment, or referrals from churches or schools may be called in.

    How Can I Help?

    You can help by either volunterring time at the pantry to sort, inventory or bag cans, or by donating cans to the pantry.

    Monetary donations are also accepted to be used for perishable items such as milk, bread, and eggs.

    Local groups, organizations, or churches may collect canned goods to be donated to the pantry. If you or your organization is interested in helping, please call 735-8598

    Individuals who want to drop off food for the pantry will find a box marked "Food Pantry" outside the St. Andrew's Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.

    What Kind of Food Donations Do You Accept?

  • Canned vegetables
  • Meats
  • Peanut Butter
  • Soups
  • Tuna Fish
  • Sauces
  • Bably formula
  • Dried Beans
  • Noodles
  • Rice
  • Crackers
  • Cereals
  • Juices
  • Dry or canned milk

    Perishable items are not collected and stored at the pantry. Monetary donations provide vouchers for milk, bread, and eggs.

    All information about recipients is kept confidential.

    Links

    The following are links concerning nutrition.:

    1. Food and Nutrition Information Center
    2. Food and Nutrition Service
    3. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

    This page was created by H.J. Good on November 10, 2002.