Self-Serve Food Pantry… BAM!

I know this is long, but you are going to want to take the time to read it and to learn about how Angels Community Outreach is making a BIG change for those in our local communities.

Our pantry has leveled up to a self-serve food pantry where families can walk through and pick what THEY actually want and need. No more random bags of food.

I’m beyond excited to officially announce the shift in our food pantry to what is now called The Angels’ Food Connection – Helping Families, One Meal at a Time. This has been a dream of mine for years… a little seed planted long ago that always seemed just out of reach. But recently, with the right people and the right timing, that seed started to grow, and now…

it’s in full bloom!

This vision was reignited thanks to a new volunteer, Rosemary, who helped breathe life into the idea again. From there, my incredible team of volunteers Julie, Kathi, and Dawn stepped in and ran with it. Julie listened to every little detail I dreamed up and helped me bring it all to life. Kathi and Dawn jumped in with hours of hard work and heart. And let’s not forget Cathy, who’s been working tirelessly to set up our brand-new client scheduling system (more on that in a sec!).

This change is deeply personal for me. When you’re in need, you’re often just given whatever’s available and yes, you’re thankful, but it’s not always what your family eats. I’ve been there myself. I know what it’s like to feel embarrassed asking for help. I also know what it felt like when someone once told me to “walk around and pick out what your kids like.” That moment stayed with me for years.

When I was facing my own struggles with domestic violence and our house fire, a kind woman running a local food pantry once invited me in, not just to receive food, but to choose what my kids and I actually liked and would eat. That simple gesture, that moment of choice, made us feel seen and dignified. I still remember the joy on my girls’ faces when they each got their favorite mac & cheese. One liked spiral, one liked elbow and one liked the shapes like Rugrats, Dinosaurs or Blue’s Clues. I also got to bring home their favorite snacks.

That experience never left me. And now, I want to give that same dignity, joy, and humanity to the families we serve.

With our self-serve food pantry, clients now get to walk through and choose what they want to take home.

Whether it’s a specific coffee brand, their favorite pancake mix, go-to spaghetti sauce or the favorite type of pasta.. bow tie, angel hair, elbow, string, tube etc. It’s no longer just about handing out food… it’s about handing out compassion, confidence, and dignity.

And you know what? It works.

During our soft opening last week, I saw something that truly filled my heart, smiles! Especially from the kids and teens. One little girl even made sure to pick her brother’s favorite foods and snacks. THAT is love in action.

This change also cuts down on waste because now, families only take what they know they’ll eat.

Food connects us. It’s more than just a meal- it’s comfort, it’s memory, it’s culture, it’s home. And now, thanks to my incredible team of volunteers, our pantry doesn’t just give out food. We give out connection.

If you are a family in need, with our new Help Form you’ll be able to:

• Schedule your own appointment through our easy-to-use system

• Come in and pick out your own food

(PLEASE NOTE: Clothing and Food will now require separate appointments.)

I am so grateful for those who water the seeds of my ideas and help them grow into something truly beautiful.

I truly have the BEST team.

BAM! – Elissa