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elieving the pressures of poverty requires systematic change in economic conditions,

running the food pantry. “It's growing every week.” Drinkard says the pantry now feeds roughly 50 to 80 families each week, and credits some of that increase to word of mouth spreading throughout the community. With a focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, Drinkard says they try to provide not just food, but nutritious food to help improve community wellness. “My goal with the food pantry is to make the clients healthier,” Drinkard says. Community spirit ‹e pantry is open every Friday and they try to give clients a three- to ve-day supply of food, but staŽ also hope they take away much more than a bag of groceries. Drinkard says she and her team try to create a spirit of community, talking with those who visit the pantry to include them in fellowship and make them a member of the Bethel family. “Every person that comes by, I personally say, ‘God bless you,’” Drinkard says. “We greet them with a smile and we try to embrace them because everybody has been through a rough time.” ‹e eŽort has created a sense of camaraderie among staŽ as well. Drinkard says “the team atmosphere is great” with every staŽ member embracing the Helping Hands ministry’s goal of creating an inclusive and positive environment.

Food For the Soul

educational opportunities, housing, and a whole host of other considerations both big and small. While there are numerous nonpro ts and government agencies dedicated to the

task, Bethel Counseling Services understands that none of that matters if the people are starving. Bethel recently opened a food pantry to supply the community with that most basic of human needs which makes all other endeavors possible. Bethel’s Executive Director and CEO Pastor Felicia Osborne started the pantry after seeing too many people going hungry, and unfortunately the need appears to be growing. [ ] “My goal with the food pantry is to make the clients healthier.” - Sarah Drinkard, Bethel Counseling Services “It started out with maybe 40 to 50 people at one time, and now it’s upwards of 90 at times,” says Sarah Drinkard, a Bethel employee in charge of

Food pantry creates community and improves wellness

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