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Food Pantry Serving the Upper Ohio Valley: Dignity, Fresh Food, and Community Support

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"If you give some of your own food to [feed] those who are hungry and to satisfy [the needs of] those who are humble, then your light will rise in the dark, and your darkness will become as bright as the noonday sun." (Isaiah 58:10)


At the House of the Carpenter, one of the most difficult moments is when a neighbor comes to sign up for our Food Pantry. The process itself is simple, but the struggle is written on their faces and in their words:


  • “I have never done this before.”

  • “I never thought I would need to come to a food pantry.”

  • “Our grandkids just came to stay with us, and we don’t know how to feed them.”

  • “I came here years ago. I never thought I’d have to come back.”


Most people we meet want nothing more than to be self-sufficient, but life’s challenges, such as job loss, rising costs, unexpected family changes, can leave them without enough to put food on the table.


To help restore dignity, the HOC transformed the Food Pantry into a grocery-store model, allowing families to make choices based on what they can cook and what their family enjoys. This approach not only respects their preferences but also reduces food waste.

We also work hard to provide more than just shelf-stable items. Families can select:


  • Proteins such as canned or frozen meat and eggs

  • Fresh produce like bananas, potatoes, apples, and oranges

  • Pantry staples including flour, sugar, oil, salt, and pepper


On average, each family leaves with 50 pounds of food, and something even more valuable: the reassurance that they are not alone, that their community cares, and that there is no shame in seeking help. After all, we are all God’s children.


Every month, the House of the Carpenter Food Pantry serves 500-600 people. To keep our shelves stocked, we spend $8,000-$9,000 monthly, which equals about $18 per person or $72 to feed a family of four.


Your support makes this possible. By donating to the Food Pantry, you are helping us feed our neighbors, restore dignity, and shine light in the darkness.


You can designate your gift directly to this vital program:


Together, we can make sure that no one in the Upper Ohio Valley goes hungry.

 
 
 

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