We provide a three-day emergency or supplemental supply of food per household, consisting of shelf-stable goods, with fresh produce, bread, eggs, and frozen meat, when available within budget. Eligible households can receive food aid once a month.
We have a sorting / packing / storage facility on Richland Ave. The Food Pantry partners with the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, which provides logistical and organizational support and is the main location for food distribution. The Food Pantry delivers food at two other locations within the county.
An important aspect of our service to the community is continual evaluation of how we can use our donors’ dollars to best meet the needs of our clients. In Athens County, despite a booming economy in other areas of the country, we are still seeing significant unemployment and underemployment, a lack of reliable transportation keeping many from earning livable wages, coupled with high housing and utility costs which directly result in more and more underfed people.
Our aim is to understand the needs of those we serve as our friends and neighbors. That’s why we’re continually fine-tuning our program to ensure that we are maximizing the impact of our funds and that we are providing an ever-growing number of clients not only with the staples, but with healthier, fresher food choices as well.