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Charity commences construction of new 2,100-sq.-ft. facility

 

TRYON—Share Thy Bread Food Pantry, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving low-income and disadvantaged families, achieved a significant milestone on Wednesday morning as it commenced the construction of its new 2,100-square-foot building. 

Positioned behind the Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 2820 Lynn Road, the new facility, located next to the Thrift Store, is poised to significantly enhance the pantry’s ability to support those in need.

The groundbreaking ceremony saw a gathering of numerous volunteers, each armed with shovels to mark the occasion and kickstart the construction project. Pastor David Graham led a prayer and Director Lorna Dever took charge of the backhoe to initiate the dirt-digging process.

Share Thy Bread, a 501(c)(3) charity, is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals within the community. Operating from Monday through Friday and on the first Sunday of each month, the pantry offers a diverse range of food items to serve those in need. Through its impactful programs, the pantry supports an average of 4,667 household visits annually and distributes over 248,389 pounds of MANNA food to those in need across Polk, Hendersonville, Rutherfordton, Greenville, and Spartanburg counties.

“We have been eagerly awaiting this new building for years,” says Director Lorna Dever. “We began our journey ten years ago, in May of 2014, in a tiny 18-square-foot space in the church’s kitchen. Over time, we expanded into a 500-square-foot space beside the thrift store, and now, we continue to progress. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers for their tireless efforts in accommodating the 2,000 people we presently serve every month.”

As a primary partner of MANNA Food Bank in Asheville, Share Thy Bread receives regular MANNA and TEFAP products and donations from local businesses.

Kristen Ollila, Eastern Agency Relationship Manager for MANNA, voiced her excitement.

“We are thrilled to witness the growth of Share Thy Bread and witness the beginning of their next chapter,” says Ollila. “They are a vital resource and do an exemplary job of serving their neighbors and community.”

Olivia Whiteside, the Marketing Manager for Foothills Chamber, added, “We are always thrilled when a Chamber member achieves a significant milestone. While we wish there weren’t a need for what they do, they perform a wonderful job in meeting that need.”

In addition to its numerous programs and partnerships, the food pantry actively participates in various initiatives, including the Fruit & Vegetable Prescription, the Healthy Opportunity Pilot, and The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Several local businesses, including Bojangles, Food Lion, Sunny Creek Farms, B & B Produce, TK Family Farms, and Charlene’s Garden, support and contribute to the organization’s vital mission within the community.

Board Member Melissa Zjaci expressed her joy at the event.

“It’s been a long time coming, and we are elated that this new facility will enable us to serve more people, given that our numbers have doubled in the past year, and serve them adequately,” she says.

To learn more about Share Thy Bread, call or text 828-817-1544.