Girl Scouts, Church to Dedicate Mars Hill’s Little Free Food Pantry Sunday

May 9

Mars Hill’s First Little Food Pantry to be Dedicated on Sunday, May 22 After 11:15 am Service

Following the May 22 11:15 service at Mars Hill United Methodist Church, the local Girl Scout troop and church congregation will dedicate the Town of Mars Hill’s first Little Free Food Pantry.

The Girl Scouts plan to provide lemonade and offer Girl Scout Cookies for sale during the event.

The concept started to come to life in February when church members met with Amanda Garcia, the trooper leader for the local Girl Scouts who had asked permission to install a Little Free Food Pantry, a public service to the community on our church property.

The two groups 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 and community activities.

The pantry, which was completed earlier this spring was designed, constructed and installed, by the troop. They also plan to maintain the pantry and restock it as needed - church and community members are welcome to participate in restocking as well.

“Take what you need; give what you can.”

— Little Free Food Pantry in Mars Hill

The Little Free Food Pantry will be 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.

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 the Girl Scout’s 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!

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.