Project Homestead Food Pantry is excited to work with Rotarians for food drive
The Project Homestead Food Pantry and the Clay County/West Point Rotary Club are hosting a joint event on Thursday at noon in the North Mississippi Medical Center training room.
Representatives from the Pantry will be speaking to Rotarians and all others in attendance about their efforts to fight food insecurity in the Clay County and surrounding areas. Treasurer Dee Echols will deliver the speech.
Chief organizer of the Pantry, Jane Scott, said that working with Rotary like this is nothing short of extravagant.
“It just means the world to us,” said Scott. “We get so much help from the community, like the Rotary club, and the churches, and we couldn't do what we do without them. We've got about 50 volunteers here, and it takes all of us and everybody in the community to get (all of the work) done. There are a lot of good people helping us.”
Former Rotary Club president Dwight Dyess further complimented the organization of Homestead, saying that there are a lot of moving parts that make the Pantry what it is. Dyess also said that his friend, Bob Seitz is behind the organization of events like Thursday's.
“There are bagging teams, there are distribution teams, there are what I would call gatherer teams that go to Wal-Mart daily that bring in food, so there are a ton of moving parts, and I think it's great (to set) all that forth,” said Dyess.
The Pantry receives copious amounts of donations from places like Community Counseling services, who gives the Pantry the space at the gym on their campus.
“We have plenty of room (thanks to them),” said Scott. “Bob Seitz places orders with the Mississippi Food Network, and we get anywhere from 1,000 to 8,000 pounds (of food) a month from them. It just depends on what they have. And then, we get food once a
month from the extra table, and then we get monetary and non-perishable food donations.”
Scott said that the Pantry itself serves about 800 people monthly. To donate to the pantry, Scott said that there are little to no requirements, as long as the food is non-perishable. She will meet anyone during the day that she can to accept donations and can be reached at 662-418-1020.