It’s More Than Just Food At The Pantry
For the past 11 years, The River Food Pantry’s mission has been to help individuals and families struggling to make ends meet by providing food, clothing, and meals while also connecting with the community and contributing to a greater good. 
There are many reasons why a person walks through The River’s door, many need that little assistance of the pantry so they can pay their bills and rent on time. For others, there simply would not be food on the table if it wasn’t for The River Food Pantry. Angela has been shopping at The River on and off for the past 5 years. “It hasn’t always been like this for me,” Angela recalls after having her car loaded with bags full of food from the pantry. “Everything changed when I had my son, Thor, and became a stay at home mom.” Angela’s husband works long hours as a cab drive but the one source of income just isn’t enough for the family to make ends meet on their own.
Angela said she’s so thankful for a place like The River because her family is not always able to purchase groceries with their budget. “We simply do not have enough money,” Angela stated. “It’s really unfortunate that we have to rely on the pantry for a source of food at times but without it, I don’t know what we’d do.”
Not only is The River a place for Angela and her family to receive clothes and groceries, it’s an environment that she feels comfortable to open up to. At a young age, Thor was diagnosed with autism, “I can still recall telling the news to Rhonda, The River’s Operations Director, when he was first diagnosed,” Angela recalls. “She hugged me and reassured me that everything was going to be okay, and she was right…He’s my own little super hero.”
Guests who visit The River not only receive fresh, nutritious food and basic necessities, but they also enjoy the simple pleasure of decency, compassion and dignity. The River understands behind every plate and every product, there’s a person and a neighbor in need. With the help of volunteers and donors, people like Angela know they have a place for food, clothing, comfort and a place to connect with others in the community. “I know it’s going to get better,” Angela shared with a smile. “I’m just glad we have this place to rely on for right now.”
Read more about Angela and how The River has helped her in the 2017 Spring Newsletter.