Reinvented and more efficient food programs to provide better service to guests at the Community Storehouse in Martinsville
MARTINSVILLE, Virginia – The Community Storehouse has changed how their food programs work to make them more convenient for visitors.
In the new food pantry, which looks like a grocery store, customers can now choose their own food items.
“If you can choose your own food, you can make it fit your diet or restrictions,” says Travis Adkins, who is in charge of running the community storehouse. “That’s important because there are a lot of places where, even if you’re hungry, you might not be able to eat all of a free prepackaged meal. Or you might have to eat some of it, which is even worse for you.”
People can also make an appointment so they don’t have to wait in long lines.
“People would sometimes have to wait for two or three hours. We weren’t going to run out of food; we just wanted to make sure they had a spot. With the appointments, that won’t happen. When we give them their appointment card, we tell them, “This holds your spot for your food, so they don’t have to worry about anything else,” as Adkins put it.
The food program gets most of its money from the thrift store on the first floor of the storehouse. The upstairs is now being fixed up to have a thrift store for used furniture and a kitchen where people in need can get hot meals.
“It’s important for dignity and respect that we treat our clients like guests. It lets us talk to them one-on-one every time they come and find out what’s new since the last time we saw them. “We want to make a difference and help people become self-sufficient,” Adkins said.
People who have trouble moving around or getting around can now get food delivered.
“Some people have trouble with transportation because they live in a rural area. The park bus doesn’t go to a lot of different places. Mobility is a big problem, especially for older people or people who can’t move around well. They have to work hard to get into the building or out of the building with a box of food. It makes things easier for a lot of people.”
Adkins says the upstairs renovations should be complete by the end of this year. Donations for the renovations can be made here.
