Food Pantry Highlights

March 4, 2025

Our pantry is entering a new and improved phase. We are back to two openings a month with a twist. The 1st Tuesday of each month is for all families and the same as always. For the 3rd Tuesday of the month, each family has been invited to attend with the caveat they need to call and make an appointment. This allows our most at need families a second opening. With both openings, we continue to provide deliveries to our Better2gether and local shut in families. This expansion has been made possible by the increased amount of donations, and some extensive micromanaging of our budget and items that are purchased.  Short Pump Rotary, Nuckols Farm Elementary and St Giles Church are among the top contributors. Any new changes we make will be done gradually.

As the warmer weather arrives, we plan to see some additional families in the drive thru and possibly through deliveries. In addition, the return of more fresh produce has begun. Thanks to Tom Leonard’s for helping us to consistently deliver produce. Stay tuned for updates.

Prayer continues to be a blessing to all. We had one particular lady who has been coming to us for a month or so, who has been praying with one volunteer each time, she said that things are turning around for her with things specifically prayed for.  This is a testimony of what it is all about.

Here is a list of prayer needs this week:

A / B – Two of our long time ladies asking for medical prayers for tests on Thursday

C – Couple asking for prayers of health for both themselves and their parents. In addition, prayers for bill management.

D – Lady asking for prayers of guidance and protection for her family.

E – Senior lady prayers for health

F – Senior lady asking for prayers of strength and good health

G – A senior couple who has been coming to Gayton asks for prayers of gratitude for Gayton and their health.

February 4, 2025

Tuesday was a beautiful weather day and a beautiful day to bless the many families we saw. 2 new families were welcomed. The call for prayer was among us. This is one of the most impactful parts of our ministry. For those of you not familiar, a family requesting prayer is matched with our prayer warriors of the day – Gayton pastoral team and one of our volunteers – and a conversation and prayer happens. 

We continue to closely watch our budget. Without our donations, the look and feel of our pantry would be very different. Many of you will recall, that last spring we had to make the difficult decision to only open once a month due to lack of funds. This was hard for us as a team to accept especially when our families were struggling. We are happy to report, we are beginning to offer a second opening to families on an appointment need basis. This will allow us to closely manage the number of families serving and budget impacts. 

The pictures above are of our faithful prayer warriors.

Thank you for your continued support.

Our food pantry received an NBC12 Acts of Kindness recognition last week and the TV segment aired Sept. 14. Mike, Amy and I were humbled to receive this as we are doing something we love and showing our passion to help others. While we received this recognition, our volunteers play a critical role in the pantry's success. One of our volunteers and long term family member, Julie Bryant, nominated us and you will hear some of her story in the news segment.

We thank each of you for any part you've played in our mission. 

Thank you,

Carolyn, Mike, and Amy