For nearly 35 years, the Helping in His Name Ministries Food Pantry has been a crucial area of support for Henry County residents in need, providing necessary grocery assistance.

Currently serving just over 1,100 families by appointment only once a month, the nonprofit organization distributes more than 220 pounds of meat, bread, fruit, vegetables, canned goods, milk, and more five times a week. In total, they receive and hand out about 220,000 pounds of food items each month.

The overarching goal of the organization is to “help people have food on their table and hope in their hearts.”

Prior to providing the food to residents, the donated food items must be picked up by the pantry from various locations around the county. Once the food is at the pantry it must be processed, separated, properly stored, and then boxed into smaller amounts for distribution.

The nonprofit is run with just eight full-time staff members, causing many to wonder how this can all be accomplished on such a large scale in such a short timeline.

Volunteers, said newly appointed Executive Director Tim Engelbracht, are the key to the whole operation.

“It is, without question, an absolute team effort,” said Engelbracht.

Jay Fisher, volunteer and board member of the organization, agreed wholeheartedly with Engelbracht, stating “We have a small but really good staff that do a lot of work. This is really an endeavor and volunteers are the backbone.”

Volunteers help the organization by sorting and organizing food resources and meet with the families to determine assistance eligibility. They provide support by checking in with the families each month, praying with them, or even simply serving as a listening ear.

Volunteer Jim Hyde shared that working at the pantry is something he truly enjoys and looks forward to each week.

“It’s nice being able to do something for other people that you don’t receive anything in return but their smiles,” he said.

“They’re helping people find hope,” said Engelbracht, referring to the volunteers. “We at the pantry stand in judgment of no one. We’re called to love our neighbor and serve people.”

“It’s like a big family,” said Engelbracht alluding to the staff, volunteers, and guests receiving food.

Engelbracht is thankful for the support of donors, partners, including local churches, organizations, and schools, and volunteers within the Henry County community, without which, the organization could not operate.

“Their support is integral. It’s the community helping the community,” said Engelbracht.

Moving forward, they look to continue to work to meet the demands of the need in the community as the need for grocery assistance increases along with the population. With that in mind, they hope to increase their storage capacity to ultimately serve more families for years to come.

“There’s a need that exists. It doesn’t matter why the need exists- it does. So, let’s meet the need,” said Engelbracht.

By Erin Lopez