MUST Ministries, schools partner to make food available to students and their families.
“One day my mom was really sad because we didn’t have any food. Then she remembered that day was grocery pick-up day at my school food pantry. We were so happy we didn’t have to miss dinner.”
This is the story of a young girl whose family benefits from the MUST Ministries Neighborhood Pantry in her school. Stories like hers are becoming more common. One in four children in Georgia don’t have enough to eat, according to Atlanta Community Food Bank statistics. With 60% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches, it is not surprising that food instability is an issue in our communities.
For 47 years, the leadership and volunteers at MUST Ministries have worked to tackle the challenges of hunger. Neighborhood pantries are active in 39 schools across Acworth, Marietta, Smyrna and Canton/Cherokee county, with plans to open more. Oak Grove Elementary, Barber Middle School and Acworth Elementary are the current Acworth locations.
“Because transportation is a problem, having pantries inside our schools makes the food much more accessible for those in need,” said Kaye Cagle, vice president of marketing and public relations for MUST.
Last month, Cherokee High School welcomed community leaders to celebrate the opening of the 38th neighborhood pantry in the Cobb/Cherokee area. Ike Reighard, president and CEO of MUST, cut the ribbon with Cherokee’s principal, Todd Miller. They were surrounded by students who participate in the school’s Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy Program.
The students worked hard to get the pantry set up with help from Cherokee administration assistant, Diana Dale.
“We hear stories about children skipping meals or going without a coat on a cold wintry day and it just breaks my heart,” Dale said “When I heard about the pantry, I immediately offered to help organize and serve in the pantry. I will never forget the looks of disbelief on the parents’ faces when they were allowed to take food to feed their babies. One father thanked us about 20 times. Another student whose smile was so big his eyes disappeared, told me how he loved the fresh produce, as he was really getting into cooking lately and how the food he made was delicious. His younger siblings raved about the flavored oatmeal. Those moments make all of the hard work worth it.”
MUST brings people together to minister to others with compassion and love. Since its inception, the staff and volunteers have fulfilled the vision of the founder, Rev. Wayne Williams: connecting people who have a desire to help with those who need help the most.
There are three ways to get involved with a neighborhood pantry.
1. Volunteer to sort food donations, stock shelves and serve families.
2. Become a volunteer shopper.
3. Donate to MUST Ministries – $25 provides one month of food and toiletries for a needy family. To donate, click on the Donate tab at www.mustministries.org.
For more information, email neighborhoodpantry@mustministries.org, or call 770-427-9862. Food donations can be dropped off at the MUST Donation Center at 1280 Field Parkway, Marietta. For more information about volunteering, email volunteer@mustministries.org.
– Susan Schulz, a wife, mom, writer and mentor who lives and plays along the Etowah River in Canton.
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