Girl Scouts to Bring Little Free Food Pantry to Mars Hill

Feb 11

Joyful Update re MHUMC Mission and Outreach

Several of us met Feb. 8 with Amanda Garcia, the troop leader for Girl Scouts who asked permission to install a Little Free Food Pantry –available to all– on our church property.

We agreed on the perfect location: Facing the church, the paved parking area next to the street and east of the entrance to the church, where it will not interfere with other church activities.

The pantry will be constructed, installed, maintained, and restocked as needed by the Girl Scouts, available 24 hours a day to whoever needs it.

The rule is: “Take what you need; give what you can.” In addition to the Girl Scout signage, there will be a legend “in collaboration with Mars Hill United Methodist Church” or a similar statement. We will be encouraged to participate by both taking and giving food. The expected time of installation and celebration of the working pantry is May.

Ms. Garcia is preparing an article for the county newspaper closer to the opening date.

This will be the second Little Free Food Pantry developed by the Girl Scouts in our area. The first one is in cooperation with an Episcopal church in Asheville.

Thanks to your expansive spirit of mission, our congregation continues to reach out to our community in mission and service.

Thanks be to God who gives us the vision – and opportunities!

(Barbara Criss, Emily Cooper and the Rev. Wiley Cooper)

Amanda’s child is enrolled in Mars Hill United Methodist Church Preschool. She is a native of Madison County, a graduate of Madison County High School and is employed by the Madison County Health Department. She expects to continue as troop leader “for the next 20 years”, so our cooperation in ministry should be a long-term partnership.