Domino, Texas-based food pantry delivers to drive-thru patrons

DOMINO. Texas — More then 200 to 300 cars streamed through Domino’s small business district Thursday — not carrying people to be tested for the Coronavirus, but to get food supplies to replace shortages caused by it.

With people having to be off from work and money being tight, Domino’s Christian Food Pantry became the drive-by destination from residents as far away as Vivian, Louisiana; Stamps, Arkansas; Idabel, Oklahoma and Jefferson and Mount Pleasant, Texas, to pick-up free supplies of oranges, apples, onions, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, eggs and other food supplies.

“Up until about a month ago, we had people come by the pantry and take a number and then hand them their food supply when their number was called out,” Christian Pantry Director Henry McCant said. “But since about the middle of last month, we have had people just drive up in their cars and get their food supplies. Since last month, it hasn’t been unusual to see as many as 340 families come by each week.”

McCant said the pantry, which has about 4,000 square feet of space and can hold nearly 31,000 pounds of food stocks and items, is one of the 212 food stations supplied by the East Texas Food Bank, located in Tyler.

“People can now just stay in their cars and drive up and from there, we have anywhere from 12 to 20 volunteers, who will load up our visitors’ trucks and cars, with food supplies,” McCant added.

Some visitors came as early as 6 a.m. Thursday and waited for the pantry to open and start the load-outs, which began around 10 a.m.

Callene Campbell and her husband Marvin Campbell, who pastors the Kingdom Faith Ministries, in Domino, said they have known customers to arrive as early as 4:30 a.m. and sleep in their cars for the distribution to begin.

But regardless of when they arrive, McCant said people will receive food whenever they need it as well as in all kinds of weather.

“Today was a sunny and perfect day but we will make sure no one goes hungry whether its sunny, wet, cold or snowing outside,” he said. “We get food to people in all kinds of weather.”

Staff photo by Greg Bischof ■ Volunteers for the Christian Food Pantry in Domino, Texas, load cars and trucks with food items late Thursday morning in an effort to help families who have been unable to return to work as a result of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The pantry has had as many as 340 families visit in one week.