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Members of Second Baptist Church Monticello say they expected to help a few dozen families when they opened a food pantry this Spring. Instead, within just over a month, the ministry has grown into a rapidly expanding community effort that has already served hundreds of residents facing food insecurity in Drew County.
Church volunteers officially launched the pantry after an informational meeting on March 30 drew more than 30 volunteers from the congregation. Since then, the pantry has distributed over 5,200 pounds of food through three events, according to Adena Handly, volunteer and member of Second Baptist Church.
“Our mission outreach is to feed our neighbors,”said Handly said during a recent interview at the church. “Our neighbors, they’re our people.”
The pantry, housed temporarily inside the church’s youth building, ‘The Swamp,’ began by serving about 34 people during its first distribution. Attendance quickly climbed to more than 50 before surpassing 200 individuals during the latest pantry event.
Church secretary Stacey Owens, who oversees much of the pantry’s day-to-day operation, said the response from the community has been overwhelming.
“At first, I thought it was moving too fast,” she said. “Then I realized God was saying, ‘You better get busy.’”
Handly and Owens say the need is evident across Drew County, where many families struggle to balance food costs with medical bills, housing expenses and other necessities. They cited statistics showing one in four people in Drew County experiences food insecurity, while one in three children faces hunger. Arkansas as a whole ranks number one in food insecurity, with one in five Arkansans, one in four Arkansas children, and one in eight Arkansas seniors facing food insecurity.
The pantry partners with the Arkansas Foodbank, which provided an initial $2,500 grant used to purchase refrigerators and freezers. Within 30 days, the church received a second $15,000 grant after adopting a “client choice” model that allows families to select foods that fit their household needs instead of receiving pre-packed boxes.
The church plans to convert the pantry into a supermarket-style setup with small shopping carts and aisles of shelving stocked with food, meat and produce. Owens said the goal is to reduce waste while helping families choose healthier foods that match dietary restrictions and personal preferences.
“People know what their family will eat,” Owens said. “It gives some freedom back to them.”
The pantry has also become a gathering point for community partnerships. Local farmers recently donated more than 1,000 pounds of squash and zucchini for distribution, while area businesses and organizations have contributed eggs, meat, dairy products and equipment. Walmart donates food multiple times each month, organizers said, often supplying meat, produce and refrigerated items that are quickly distributed to local families.
The church is also partnering with Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County to provide free health screenings during pantry days as part of a ‘Food is Medicine’ initiative of the Arkansas Foodbank. This work connects nutritious food with healthcare to help prevent and manage chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Future plans for the pantry include offering cooking classes through the Drew County Cooperative Extension Service Office with Hazelene McCray and gardening education in partnership with local 4-H programs. Volunteers hope the pantry will eventually move into a dedicated building on the church campus, expanding services to include emergency assistance and outreach for senior citizens who cannot easily travel.
For now, Handly and Owens say the pantry is about more than food.
“If they need prayer, if they need to talk, if they need a hug, we are here,” Owens said. “We may be the only Jesus they see.”
The pantry currently operates every other Friday, with occasional pop-up distributions announced through social media when fresh produce or additional donations become available. Volunteers said additional community support and volunteers are always welcome as the ministry continues to grow.
