Who We Are
Our nonprofit was founded in 1974 as volunteer crisis intervention organization. Around 2000, the organization decided to transition to a new mission to better meet the community’s needs. Since nutrition services for seniors were identified as a great need in Davidson County, the organization decided to start a food pantry. The new organization’s first executive director, Beverly Fulbright, was an ordained minister, thus Pastor’s Pantry was born.
We decided to keep the name even after Dr. Fulbright left the organization, because we had become well-known by that name in the community.
While we are blessed with the support of many churches and communities of faith, we are not a religious organization. Religion plays no part in our criteria for accepting or serving clients.
What We Do
Pastor’s Pantry is a nonprofit food pantry, with no religious affiliation, that targets senior hunger. Our main focus is seniors (age 60-plus) in financial stress in Davidson County, North Carolina. We provide groceries for seniors in need, once per month. We also provide emergency food to individuals of all ages in crisis mode. Most seniors receive 7-8 plastic grocery bags of food each month, which generally lasts about 10 days. Many of these seniors live with younger relatives in their households, so the number of people we serve is greater than the number of seniors who apply for help. We distribute an average of 5,000 bags of groceries each month, in addition to emergency food.
Pastor’s Pantry currently helps more than 700 individuals on average per month in nearly 500 senior households throughout Davidson County. The food is offered at no cost to the recipient.
Where the Food Comes From
The groceries come from donations from individuals, groups, churches, and organizations who host food drives and collect food for us, as well as from the Store Rescue Program from Food Lion. The remaining food we need to fulfill requests comes from Second Harvest Food Bank Northwest NC in Winston-Salem. Through a shared maintenance program every dollar more than doubles. We also make monthly food purchase of fresh produce from Lexington grocer Conrad & Hinkle and other sources at the best prices we can find. Farmers and local gardeners also share their surplus with us, when possible.
We are funded by United Way, churches, local businesses, other groups and organizations, individuals, grants, and fundraising activities.
We stand with United Way’s Diversity and Inclusion Principle. Click for details:
