1294 Jack Dayton Circle
Young Harris, GA 30582
706-896-4783 or 706-896-0040
Towns.Pantry@ndocsbg.org
Teresa.stephens@ndocsbg.org
The Towns County Food Pantry is a ministry of the Towns County Cooperative Ministries. It’s purpose is to help the needy of Towns County. The Towns County Food Pantry is a non-profit organization supported solely by area churches, business, groups and individuals.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Food distribution will be held at the Food Pantry every other Wednesday from 11am – 2 pm. All that are in need of food assistance are encouraged to attend. If you are unable to pick up your food, please contact the pantry at 706-896-4783 or 706-896-0040 prior to distribution day so arrangements can be made to deliver your food.
The Food Pantry served:
2021: 12,733 individuals including 6,336 children
40+ tons of food.
Last month: 1,880 adults and 1,120 children.
All clients and inquiries are confidential.
HOW TO RECEIVE FOOD:
THE FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY FROM 11AM TO 2 PM
(PLEASE CALL TO GET NEXT DISTRIBUTION DATE)
WHO WE SERVE:
Towns County residents who are in need and qualify for the income guidelines posted below, this includes the at risk populations of seniors, underemployed, and unemployed families and individuals, disabled, and veterans.
The Towns County Food Pantry is open to Towns County Residents in need. To receive food your income must be below the income criteria in the following chart:
Household size Monthly Income Weekly Income
1 $1,265 $292
2 $1,705 $394
3 $2,144 $495
4 $2,584 $597
5 $3,024 $698
6 $3,464 $800
7 $3,904 $901
8 $4,344 $1,003
Each additional member: Add $ 440 Add $ 102
Receiving food from the Food Pantry does not affect social security, food stamps, unemployment or any other program you may be participating in.
WHO WE ARE:
The Towns County Food Pantry was founded in 2008 by David Mullins and Jim Hicks following the dream of Mr. Mullin’s and Mr. Hicks to help feed those families or individuals who, at that time, lack the resources to obtain it alone. County Commissioner Bill Kendall, when approached on the project, brought Teresa Stephens of Georgia Ninth District Opportunity to head up the project. It was organized as a mission under the Towns County Cooperative Ministries, Inc. and housed in a new office/warehouse provided by the Commissioner.
During the second half of 2008, with Laranda Mullins Mauldin and Richard Botting serving as co-coordinators, the Pantry grew with more and more volunteers stepping up to handle the growing demands of the community as the economy tumbled towards a depression, by receiving, sorting and packaging food contributed by the community through churches, businesses, organizations and individuals. In January of 2009, the Pantry met the requirements of the Georgia Food Bank and started purchasing food through the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia in Athens, Ga, at an approximate cost of 18 cents per pound, and thanks to the generous donations from the community was able to purchase a little over 5,000 pounds for its first weekly distribution to 130 households, feeding approximately 300 people.
The weekly demands grew to almost 400 households per week, to eventually purchasing and distributing over 300,000 pounds of food to 13,200 households, feeding almost 30,000 people during 2009, 7,456 of which were children.
The goals of the Food Pantry are to reach every household in Towns County who is in serious need of our assistance, and to provide them with healthful and nutritionally wholesome food with dignity and respect to all involved.
MISSION STATEMENT
“BY GRACE OF GOD, TOWNS COUNTY FOOD PANTRY EXISTS TO ASSURE THAT NO CITIZENS OF TOWNS COUNTY GOES HUNGRY, TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THOSE IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCDES, AND TO SERVE THOSE IN NEED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT”
DONATE:
The Towns County Food Pantry depends solely on donations from the community, making it a true “Neighbors helping Neighbors” project. Donations include money, food, hygiene and cleaning products.
Our partnership with the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia allows us to purchase food at 18 cents per pound, making money our most valued donation. However, hygiene paper, pet and cleaning products are not available through this source.
Top items needed:
Toilet Paper
Coffee
Hand soap
Dish Soap
Laundry detergent
Shampoo
Juice
Canned Pasta (ravioli, spaghetti, etc.)
Canned meat/meal
Fresh or Frozen meats commercially packaged
Oil (any kind)
Flour
Toothpaste
Pet Food (dog and cat)
Oil (any kind)
Flour
Toothpaste
Pet food (dog and cat)
Misc. items (mayonnaise, mustard, salad dressings, etc.)
Supplemental nutrition such as boost, ensure, glucerna
Fresh fruits and vegetables
All food donated should be in its original packaging, unopened and in date.
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
Towns County Food Pantry
1294 Jack Dayton Circle
Hiawassee, GA 30582
The Towns County Food Pantry is a non-profit community organization maintaining 501(3c) status, and all donations are tax deductible.
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES:
The Towns County Food Pantry offers a wonderful opportunity to those who wish to volunteer in a very worthwhile cause.
With the exception of a small administrative staff, the Pantry is run mostly through the generosity of volunteers willing to give of themselves and their time.
Our office is open between 9 am til 12pm Monday thru Thursday and other times by appointment only.
Our pantry needs are to receive, stock, and package the food for distribution. We receive a delivery every Monday at 10:00am and distribute every other Wednesday between 11 am and 2 pm.
The delivery of food to our many homebound clients. Usually 2 to 3 hours a week on Tuesdays.
Apart from individuals, we encourage organizations to volunteer as a group thus furthering the camaraderie within their organization and the community.
SUPPORTERS:
Ninth District Opportunity, Inc.
Towns County
Chamber of Commerce
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
Local Businesses
Private Individuals
Local churches, community organizations and hundreds of individuals generously donate food, money and volunteer time to keep the food pantry running successfully throughout the year.
Food Pantry
Towns County
Hiawassee, Young Harris, Tate City