For over 23 years, Dayspring Food Pantry has been a vital resource for the community, consistently stepping up to meet the needs of its residents.
The partnership with God’s Pantry Food Bank has been crucial for Dayspring Food Pantry, "to put it simply, we are not sure we could survive. There is absolutely no way we could provide meat and fresh fruits and vegetables to our families without God’s Pantry Food Bank." This collaboration allows Dayspring to offer nutritious food to families who would otherwise go without.
The impact of Dayspring Food Pantry goes beyond just providing food: "A single mom of four had lost her job and was struggling to make ends meet. One of our volunteers asked her to use the pantry, but she was too embarrassed. After a lot of convincing, she signed up. When we took out her first buggy, she cried tears of embarrassment but also tears of relief. She took a box of snack cakes and held it to her chest, saying, 'They will have a snack for school this week.' That moment made all the work worth it. It’s always so much bigger than just the food."
The volunteers at Dayspring are the heart and soul of the pantry. Lori, a dedicated volunteer, explains, "I started off because Beth said, hey, we need some volunteers, but it ended up being something that, when I drive by and there are cars in the parking lot, I want to stop and help. It’s a blessing back to me."
Michelle, a neighbor who benefits from Dayspring's services, shares her experience: "I walked in last month and met these wonderful ladies. They greeted me with open arms, gave me hugs, loved me through it, and knew it was hard for me. I cried the whole way home after getting the food. It wasn’t just the food; it was the experience of all of it. The people, the feeling of just feeling welcome and loved."
Technology has also played a significant role in improving the efficiency of Dayspring's operations. Tammy, another volunteer, notes, "From making appointments on an appointment book to now being able to make appointments on the computer, what a big change! It has made a great impact here at Dayspring, giving us more time to help get the food for our clients."
Kenneth, a neighbor who frequently visits the pantry, praises the volunteers, saying, "There's not enough good that could be said for the people that work here and volunteer to do the work that they do. They're special. They're beyond special."
Despite the challenges, they remain hopeful for the future." Sometimes it’s hard to believe in a future where every Kentuckian is nourished, especially with the current economy and few jobs in Menifee County. But then you look at a full pantry and the people who volunteer each week, and you have to believe that with as many good people as there are in this world, those people will rise up together and defeat hunger."
Dayspring Food Pantry continues to be a beacon of hope, thanks to the support of the community, dedicated volunteers, and partnerships.
