Future bright for Panola food pantry
Published 4:56 pm Monday, December 17, 2018
Staff Report
The future of the Panola County Food Pantry was bleak a few months ago when its board of directors learned that the building they had been renting on Van Voris for several years would be sold. Volunteers and concerned citizens began looking for a place to move the pantry, which serves hundreds of people each month.
The board was approached with the idea of buying the building, but dismissed the idea because the food pantry operates on a shoestring budget, barely able to pay the rent and keep the operation running from month-to-month.
But, a very generous offer from First Security Bank, and some legwork by local citizens concerned about the food pantry, has brightened the future of the non-profit.
The property has been assessed by Panola County for more than $70,000 and the owner offered to sell the two buildings on the lot for $40,000 to help the board and take advantage of tax breaks with the loss.
First Security’s board of directors agreed to finance the property for the food pantry at the lowest rate of interest that could be expected and voted to donate $10,000 from the bank for a downpayment.
Exchange Club member Danny Jones, a Dunlap and Kyle retiree, began an informal fundraising campaign seeking more donations from churchs, individuals, and civic clubs and quickly raised another $10,000 for the project.
More donations are being accepted and are arriving each week, leaving Jones and others with the hope that the food pantry will have a small balance on the buildings by January. Additionally, the directors of the pantry will be able to rent a metal building on the property that will probably bring enough income to cover the monthly bank note.
Food Pantry director Marie Leland encourages any person or group that would like to become regular donors or volunteers for the food pantry to visit the location on Van Voris, or call 563-7595.