February 2, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
God’s Food Pantry has announced a change in its pickup schedule for just one day only, Friday February 3.
Due to road conditions from this week’s wintry weather, the pantry, normally open from 9 a.m. until noon, will be open this Friday, February 3 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
For 15 years the pantry has provided food and other essentials to help meet the needs of the medically frail and elderly, children, veterans, the homeless, and the working poor. The pantry receives no local, state, or federal government funding but is able to operate from donations of caring individuals and businesses, among others.
Pat Zornow, God’s Food Pantry volunteer and coordinator, said between 800 and 900 families are served per month which includes about 80 home deliveries to those with special needs.
Food is distributed on the first Friday after the first Thursday and on the third Friday of every month from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon from the pantry at 430 East Broad, Smithville in a drive through pickup line.
A long line of cars forms along East Broad Street near the pantry every time the twice a month event is held. Smithville Police are always on site to assist with traffic control and the sheriff’s department provides inmate work crews under guarded supervision by correctional officers to help pantry volunteers with the distribution.