FOOD PANTRY

Food Pantry

• WHAT IT IS: Located in the lower level of Wendell United Methodist Church at 129 N Main Street, the Food Pantry its design to provide a three-day emergency supply of food to families in need. We also work with the Social Services office at the Eastern Regional Center in Zebulon and will help any family referred to us by them.

HOURS:  The pantry is open Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m., Thursdays from 9-10:30 a.m., and the last Saturday of the month from 10 a.m.-noon.  We are a partner agency of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC allowing us to shop at their warehouse at a considerably discounted rate as well as receive many items free.

HOW BENEFITS OF THE WUMC FOOD PANTRY ARE DISTRIBUTED:

• SERVICE AREA: The Service Area for our Food Pantry is comprised of Wendell, NC and adjacent areas. Due to ongoing Covid protocols, however, the pantry is currently open to anyone in need no matter their location.
• WHAT PAPERWORK IS NEEDED TO RECEIVE BENEFITS:  Each family is asked to present two forms of identification including a photo ID as well as a bill or invoice from a utility indicating address.  No certificate of need is required.
• HOW OFTEN:  The Food Pantry will provide any clients with a form indicating the next date they are eligible to visit the Food Pantry.  This is set at every 30 days.

• HOW PARISHIONERS  CAN HELP IN OUR EFFORTS: Be a food pantry volunteer! Volunteers work in pairs, doing the required paperwork and bagging up groceries for families. We’d like to expand our hours, but first we need more people willing to be trained and committing to a time slot each month.
– Organize a food drive where you work or in the community at large.
– Save and bring in grocery store bags with handles.

The congregation is encouraged to bring in food donations or donate money or grocery store gift cards allowing the Food Pantry volunteers to do the shopping!

(NOTE: If you put a check in the offering plate made out to WUMC and in the lower left corner specify “food pantry,” the amount will be recorded on your annual church giving record and the money used to purchase food for the pantry. Money you spend on gift cards does not “go through the church bank accounts” and therefore is not recorded on your giving record).

• WHO TO CONTACT: The Church Office at 919-365-6266