Local church’s food bank sees uptick in activity in wake of the government shutdown 

PERRY — With the government shutdown still in full effect, along with a delay in SNAP benefits, New Hope Baptist Church has seen increased activity with its food drive in recent weeks. 

Food Bank Director Steven Green said they obtain their supplies from the surrounding Publix and Kroger locations. They then distribute food to those in need on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

“At first we were [helping] about 150 a couple years ago, now we’re up to 300, and even more due to the government shutdown,” he said. 

Over the last two weeks, the food bank has experienced a significant increase in the number of people requiring assistance. Green said they now have to arrive at the church around 7 a.m. to prepare for distribution at 9 a.m. 

Member and food bank volunteer, Pansy Bryant, said the increased activity has been taxing on their volunteers. 

“Normally with 150 [people] they can handle that capacity, but we’ve actually requested some additional volunteers even to the point of asking if there’s anyone willing to do community service that needs hours,” she said. “Our average age of our volunteers are between 55 and 75, and we have now requested to seek outside help with the increase that has been happening.” 

According to Bryant, the community has shown a great deal of gratitude for their assistance, as people have come from as far as Reynolds to receive aid. Green said they serve around 26 counties in the state of Georgia. 

“Last week, we got a lot of people from the base just basically saying that they’ve had to make decisions between paying bills and buying groceries, and they were grateful that they had some food banks,” Bryant said. 

New Hope Baptist Church is still prepared to aid those as long as the government shutdown continues; however, Bryant said their supply has dwindled over the last few weeks. 

“We offer this service 52 weeks out of the year. I would like to let the community know that we are here every Friday, so we try to address food deprivation throughout the year,” she said. 

Green referenced Matthew 25:35: 

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” 

He said this is what their food drives are all about. 

“We try not to leave anybody without,” he said.