First permanent food pantry opens in Charles City

A local farm-based community outreach organization in Charles City has partnered with church and community volunteers to establish the community’s first permanent food pantry.

Promise Land Pastures, located at 9620 Adkins Road, began operations on April 13 to meet ongoing community needs to establish the non-profit community pantry. Through the county’s health coalition, the organization worked with Quin Rivers to secure a grant from Dominion Energy to help operate the pantry.

“We’re so appreciative of the ongoing community support we’ve received,” said Jackie Stewart, Director of Operations of the food pantry. “It’s all of us working together that made this possible.”

St. John Baptist Church amassed volunteers as they worked with FeedMore’s Emergency Food Pantry Program to provide meals once a month for the last four years. With operations cancelled due to COVID-19, Charles City Public Schools filled in for the month of April before Promise Land Pastures became functional.

Applications continue to be submitted for grants for cold storage and operational needs, but the pantry is expected to feed several families in the community.

“We’re pleased to be able to partner with Promise Land Pastures in hopes of better serving our citizens,” said Charles City County Administrator Michelle Johnson. “Improving food access is very important to us, especially during these difficult times.”

For more information about the pantry, please contact Jackie Stewart at (804) 380-8301.