| Tammy Smith (right) shops at BG Christian Food Pantry’s new location at 419 Gould Street in Bowling Green. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune) |
The Bowling Green Christian Food Pantry opened for the first time on Wednesday at its new location at 419
Gould St.
The first day at the new location served nine families, including eight children, in two hours. In
addition to those families many others stopped by just to see the site with others picking up their
"breads and sweets."
While families can only fully shop once every three months, all clients can stop by during open hours and
pick up extra loaves of bread and/or a dessert of some kind.
"Everyone seemed really happy with it," said Shirley Woessner, director of the panty.
Woessner said the volunteers as well as those they served were pleased with the lighting, the openness
and the elimination of the steps previously faced.
Another feature at the new location allows those shopping for groceries to drive around to the back and
have the groceries brought right to their vehicle. There is an overhead door which leads to that storage
area, where Woessner said they can pull right inside during inclement weather.
That area is also used for deliveries, the refrigerated and frozen goods, as well as excess storage.
In addition to a prescribed allotment of food available to each of the families based on size, there are
also toiletries provided such as shampoo and toothpaste.
While there are various advantages to the new location, the director said they are now having to pay
rent, which had been provided previously.
"We will be OK," Woessner said noting several churches as well as volunteers have pledged to
contribute monthly toward the rent.
The director said additional volunteers are always needed. To assist the pantry or for other questions
call Woessner at 419-601-2760.
Monetary donations can also be sent to the pantry at P.O. Box 84, Bowling Green, 43402.
Families need a referral from one of several local agencies to be able to shop at the pantry.
The pantry will be open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. and Thursdays 6-8 p.m.
A community open house is planned for Aug. 19 to allow the public to view the facility.
