Community Service fuels Floyd County Democratic Party
Party joins with Jones Memorial AME Zion Church; Galatian Baptist Church on new little food pantry
NEW ALBANY, April 27, 2022 –The numbers are startling - one in nine Americans struggle with hunger, including 1 in 6 children. For those facing food insecurity, having a local resource to help with the next meal is critical. Luckily, several organizations are stepping up to help.
For the Floyd County Democratic Party, answering this critical need included the development of a new Community Service project last year. Their party members adopted the free local food pantries placed throughout the community. The free little pantry movement is a grassroots, crowdsourced solution to meet food insecurity with pantry stations, often located near community buildings or churches, providing a valuable lifeline on can goods and other non-perishable supplies that can be accessed by everyone at any time.
“In the midst of the pandemic, it was the perfect community service project,” stated Deputy Chair for Community Service Jill Stock. “Many of our traditional service projects were cancelled as community members worked to social distance, but the collection of can goods and other items could be done with minimal interaction.”
Party members were also responsive to the need.
“The first collection day we weren’t sure what to expect, but after a few hours our conference table was completely full,” added Party Chair Adam Dickey. “It was that point we decided we needed to convert some office space into a pantry area so volunteers could organize donations and push them out to the little pantry stations.”
By the end of last year, the Party had expanded its collection hours and began a new project – constructing two new little pantry stations. While the party had volunteers willing to construct the pantry boxes, it needed a sponsor for the locations and turned to Jones Memorial AME Zion Church and Galatian Baptist Church.
“It was an easy request,” stated Rev. Yolanda Washington of Jones Memorial AME Zion Church. “We knew there was a need in the community and were happy to offer our church campus as a pantry location.”
Party and church volunteers recently dedicated the new little pantry, nicknamed the “Zion’s Snack Box,” adjacent to their parking lot and the Griffin Recreation Center. Since that time its seen regular use with both organizations stocking the pantry weekly. The Galatian Baptist Church location has seen similar activity.
“For those that need a hand-up, we’re offering hope,” said Rev. Washington. “We’re offering a location where community members can go at all hours and find something to eat - it’s a basic kindness for others.”
Stock agreed and added that both organizations are always looking for individuals to join in the effort. Individuals can drop-off items donations of can goods and other items at Party Headquarters located at 312 Bank Street in New Albany each Friday between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. Recommended items include:
Baby foods
Canned soup, vegetables, spaghetti, ravioli, beef stew, etc. with pull-top lids
Canned or packets of meat/tuna/chicken
Beef jerky/slim jims
Easy mac and cheese
Instant potatoes
Individual cereals
Granola bars
Fruit bars
Cheese/peanut butter crackers
Shelf stable milk
Juice boxes
Snack cakes
Fruit cups / apple sauce
Bottled water / juice boxes / sports drinks
Toiletries (travel size preferred)
The party also hopes to erect new little pantries with other partners.
“This is just another way our party and its members give back to our community,” added Dickey. “We care about our community and are prepared to make it a better place one little pantry at a time.”
Little Food Pantry Locations
1. Central Christian Church – 414 E. 13th Street, New Albany, IN
2. St. Mark United Church of Christ – Bank & Spring Street, New Albany, IN
3. Sojourn Church – Silver Street and Ekin Avenue, New Albany, IN
4. U.S. Bank – Spring Street and Silver Street, New Albany, IN
5. Interfaith Community – 702 E. Market Street, New Albany, IN
6. Kaiser Home Support Services – 2633 Grantline Road, New Albany, IN
7. Community Montessori – 4120 St. Joe Road, New Albany, IN
8. Jones Memorial AME Zion Church – 258 Ealy Street, New Albany, IN
9. Galatian Baptist Church – 2020 Maryland Avenue, New Albany, IN
10. Hope Southern Indiana – 1200 Bono Road, New Albany, IN