History of the Food Pantry, Clothing and Thrift Shop
Believing in God’s love of ALL His children, Abilene Area Food Pantry, Clothing and Thrift Shop hopes to help in healing the hurt of hunger by giving food and loving concern.
Organized by the Trinity Lutheran Church (TLC) in 1983 as the “Food Pantry”, the group has provided food, utility, rent, fuel, and clothing assistance to those in need for over 38 years. Believing in God’s love of ALL His children, Abilene Area Food Pantry, Clothing and Thrift Shop hopes to help in healing the hurt of hunger by giving food and loving concern.
The Food Pantry started at TLC with several women helping congregation members who needed assistance with food expenses. It soon grew to include more needy residents of Abilene. Abilene’s Ministerial Alliance was asked by TLC to contact areawide churches to see if they would be willing to donate food and/or funds to support an area wide Food Pantry. Their support was unanimous and the Abilene Chapter of Church Women United also joined in the mission. Soon with a new name, the Abilene Area Food and Clothing Center opened to serve all residents* of Dickinson County. *Herington residents are now served by their own Food Bank.
In 2021 the Abilene Area Food and Clothing Center revised their name to the Abilene Area Food Pantry, Clothing and Thrift Shop. The organization is an all-volunteer staff, sponsored by the Abilene Chapter of Church Women United and the Abilene Ministerial Alliance. Nearly every church in Dickinson County contributes food and funds to our organization on a rotating basis. Food and cash donations flow in from everyone in the county – schools, service organizations, residents, and businesses. The organization does not receive financial assistance from the federal or state government.
Our current governing board members include:
President - Rev. Kerry Coup, Vice President - Rev. Keith Less (Trinity Lutheran Church), Al Jones, Rev. Jason Kohler (First Christian Church), Delmar Curran, Ellen Jones (Church Women United), Deanna Whitehair –Director, Jeanette Myers – Food Pantry Coordinator and Treasurer, Neva Yackley, Laura Wilson, Shirley Wilson, and Melody Smith.
The Food Pantry provides food assistance to those in need. Upon application, nutritious food is provided to care for the family or individual’s needs until food stamps or funds to purchase food becomes available.
An Emergency Utility Fund is available to assist persons who are without heat, lights, water or will be soon facing this dilemma. The applicants are screened carefully, and the fund will pay $100 towards their bill. This service is allowed once a year. Funds are also available for assistance with rent and vehicle fuel expenses (the utility criteria apply also for this aid).
The Clothing and Thrift Shop sells donated used items to the public for a small fee. This income is used to pay the organization’s rent, utilities, and other operational expenses. Upon referral by area ministers, Red Cross, School Nurse, SRS, OCCK and service organizations, clothing is provided to those who are unable to pay. A supply of towels, sheets, blankets, and pillows are available to disaster victims or individuals who are in crisis.