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TRYON—On Thursday, January 23, Share Thy Bread Food Pantry, a nonprofit committed to assisting low-income and disadvantaged families, officially opened its new 2,100-square-foot facility. Construction on the building began in July of last year.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and students from the Tryon Seventh-Day Adventist School, marked a significant milestone for the organization. Director Lorna Dever says the new building, which is adjacent to the Thrift Store behind the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Lynn, will enhance Share Thy Bread’s ability to serve those in need.

“Someone asked me if I was excited about the opening of our new building, and I told them excited is not the word. I am genuinely ecstatic,” Dover said. “Share Thy Bread started in an 18-square-foot closet before moving to a 500-square-foot facility beside the Thrift Store. Now, we are in a 2,100-square-foot building. It is amazing to see how much we have grown.” 

Despite the chilly weather, many community members attended the event, and everyone who contributed to the new building was acknowledged. Tryon Seventh Day Adventist School students joined Dever in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, a symbolic moment that officially opened the doors to the new facility.

Since its inception in May 2014, Share Thy Bread has focused on positively impacting the community. Open Monday through Friday and on the first Sunday of each month, the pantry offers a wide range of food items to individuals and families in need and averages 4,667 household visits yearly. It has distributed over 248,389 pounds of food across Polk, Henderson, Rutherford, Greenville, and Spartanburg counties. 

As a key partner of MANNA Food Bank in Asheville, the pantry regularly receives MANNA products, as well as support from local businesses. 

Share Thy Bread also participates in initiatives such as the Fruit & Vegetable Prescription, the Healthy Opportunity Pilot, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Support from local businesses such as Bojangles, Food Lion, Sunny Creek Farms, B & B Produce, TK Family Farms, and Charlene’s Garden has been vital to the pantry’s success. 

Pastor David Graham joined the celebration, praising Dever and the pantry’s volunteers for their dedication before leading the attendees in prayer and a hymn before the crowd toured the new facility.

For more information about Share Thy Bread and its services, call or text (828) 817-1544.