Now More Than Ever: The Pastor's Pantry feeds seniors in need

Growing numbers of older adults need our help now, yet we continue to set aside fewer and fewer dollars to come to their aid. In fact, when it comes to the most significant grants given by America’s largest foundations, less than 1% of the funds go to causes related to aging. 

The fastest-growing age group in our population needs our help, and we’re failing them miserably. The statistics are real, one in every six seniors in America faces the threat of hunger. 

Since its founding in 1974, the Pastor’s Pantry has played a major role in the community. While the organization has not always been a food pantry, for over four decades, Pastor’s Pantry has remained community-centered, providing a vital link between services, food and families in need, focusing on the specific needs of senior adults, age 60 years and older. Becoming a food pantry in 2000, we work to increase access to safe and nutritious food, and access to available resources and supportive programs

  Seniors often go without food in order to meet other vital living expenses including medical expenses, housing, utilities, car and homeowner’s insurance, day to day living and are sometimes referred to as “the hidden hungry.” Our mission is to help provide nutritional options to these qualifying seniors of Davidson County. Our clients are shopped for each month based on their dietary needs and receive 10 -12 bags of food items either by pick up or delivery, as well as receiving special meals for the Holidays.  

Although our target population is poverty stricken senior adults, and individuals with life-threatening illness, we never turn anyone away hungry. We provide individuals in crisis mode with emergency food, regardless of age, in an immediate need of food.

Thanks to our partnership with United Way of Davidson County and Second Harvest of Northwest North Carolina, and the support of local foundations such as Energy United and Lexington Area Community Foundation, as well as food drives from civic groups, churches, businesses and organizations, we are able to distribute nearly 350,000 pounds of food to more than 1200 of our neighbors struggling to find enough to eat.  

 One example to highlight from our giving community is our annual Holiday Meal. With the help of local churches and organizations, we collected well over 4,300 food items to box and put together as an extra meal for our clients and their families to enjoy.  

You can support our mission to fight senior hunger too by participating in our fundraisers.  It has been difficult during this pandemic to host many of our annual events.  We are thrilled to be back in person and celebrating with our community.