Video: Aberdeen Food Pantry Expands Their Outreach

[syndicaster id=’5606268′]

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – A local food pantry continues its commitment to service by adding a second program.

The Aberdeen food pantry kicked off a unique program designed to benefit the elderly and disabled, which allows them to experience a grocery store like shopping trip.

In January, the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry fed more than 300 Monroe county families.

It’s open for food distribution twice a month.

To meet a high demand and a growing need, the pantry is opening an in-house grocery store.

“Really trying to reach the older people who can’t get here on a Saturday morning. We normally give out on the 2nd and 4th Saturday but it’s real crowded and we want these people to enjoy their shopping experience so they can feel like they went to the store and shopped,” said Executive Director of Loaves and Fishes, Lloyd Massey.

The new concept allows shoppers to pick their groceries and household items, according to their needs, for free.

Lloyd Massey, the director of Loaves and Fishes, says while some elderly shoppers receive food stamps, it usually isn’t enough to last an entire month.

“$15 is all they get in food stamps, they can’t buy very much on that, some of them get up to $35, so this is a good supplement for them,” said Massey.

Dorothy Jones is a first-time shopper at the pantry. She cares for more than five children at home and is thankful for the extra help.

“It’s very important. It helps out a lot of families because things are so tight right now, it’s a God thing you know what I mean? We appreciate it,” said Aberdeen resident, Dorothy Jones.

Loaves and Fishes is operated by a group of volunteers.

Massey says the pantry can always use more help.

“People only see the box go out, they don’t see what goes into it and it takes a lot of volunteers to get all this ready for each month and we have quite a few young people helping us out but any age, they just have to come down here and we’ll put them to work,” added Massey.

For more information on how to volunteer or hours of the food pantry, call 662-369-0929 or email lloydmasse@aberdeenfoodpantry.org