A retired church member at Hilham Baptist Church decided to give back to the community through a new Saturday Food Pantry.
Donald Parker said he started a once-a-week operation, to serve those in need in Overton County. Parker said the organization is modeling their giveaways after other churches in the area.
“Out our way, there’s several people who don’t have even some of the basics, I guess you’d say,” Parker said. “And there’s always somebody there that needs help. So, that’s the motivation for it.”
For Parker, he said his motivations are personal. After declaring bankruptcy years ago, Parker said he was once in a time of need himself, albeit too proud to ask for help. While he did not know how she found out about his hardships, Parker said his neighbor supplied him with enough food and resources until he could get back on his own two feet.
Now, he has found his calling providing the same love and care for his fellow neighbors in Overton. As a retiree, Parker said he has the time to help out and is more than happy to be of service to other community members.
“If you’ve lived as long as I have, you know there’s a need,” Parker said. “Somebody needs stuff like that. To me, it’s just common sense. I’ve been down on my bad luck before, too, where I needed it and was too proud to ask for it. But you have to throw that pride away.”
Parker said all the work is done by unpaid volunteers and the church gives away 100 percent of the food they take in.
“We do tax-free because the church does tax free and we give this food all out, so we’re able to buy it probably cheaper than most people can,” Parker said.
Despite not being as large as some other food pantries in the area, Parker said the Hilham Baptist does their best to help out the citizens of Overton County.
For those wanting to donate more than just food or money to the cause, Parker said the church is accepting volunteers to help with the weekend food giveaways. All proceeds from cash donations go directly to the Church’s food pantry fund.
The Food Pantry takes place every Saturday from 10am to 2pm.
