Gods Pantry Mission of Messiah Lutheran Church

God’s Pantry opened its doors on September 29, 2002, serving 300 people during the rest of the year of 2002. From there, it has continued to grow at a rapid pace. With over 650 volunteers (including the Executive Director) making up the bulk of the time and work required, overhead cost are kept extremely low and has a staff of only 3 part time employees to manage the overall operation. In 2013 over 101,800 people were fed at a cost of under $2.00 per person. That is supplementing 15 meals for everyone who entered each of the 12 distribution sites. The only food pantry system in the upstate feeding as often as once a week for seniors and providing special diet boxes for diabetic clients. Special arrangements for all families with pressing needs, as determined by the staff and volunteer leaders, are made allowing them to come on a weekly basis. In January 2013 a school backpack program was initiated, led by a new volunteer and is currently supplying a weekend of food to 117 school children from three local elementary schools. God’s Pantry’s goal is to feed more people, more food, more often at the lowest possible cost to the organization and NEVER a cost to the client.