“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
- Matthew 25:40

Welcome to the official page of the Calvary Food Pantry, a project organized by the Calvary Episcopal Church and made possible by our incredibly generous donors and volunteers. Our goal is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus by feeding all those of His children who are in need. Keep reading to learn how to receive help, or how to contribute to our community.

 

To visit or contact us directly, refer to the information below:

Address: 2840 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher, North Carolina 28732
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 187, Fletcher, North Carolina 28732

Phone number: (828) 684-6266

Email: foodpantry@calvaryfletcher.org

For Neighbors:

Food assistance is available to anyone who seeks help. 

Our pantry normally operates on a “neighbor’s choice” model, where we offer neighbors the opportunity to choose from a variety of foods within specific categories. While we try to stock the most popular items, inventory can change depending on what is available from our sources. Neighbors are served based on when they arrive, and we strive to have as much variety as possible for our late shoppers as our early ones.

Current Needs

The Food Pantry is always grateful for your financial support. Working with MANNA FoodBank and other partners, we are often able to stretch your contributions farther than they normally would go.

At this time, we are also in need of food donations, particularly in the categories below:
- Diapers, sizes 4, 5, and 6
- Wipes
- Dry cat food
- Coffee

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you pick up donations?

A: No. Although we are grateful for any support we receive, we simply do not have the means to visit everyone who might have items they want to give at the moment. However, donations may be dropped off in the pantry lobby between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm from Monday-Friday.

Q: Do you make deliveries?

A: No, for the same reasons we cannot pick up donations. Our wonderful volunteers give time when they are able, and most do not work regular hours at the pantry; they could not reliably deliver food or give transportation at the moment.

Q: What non-food donations do you accept?

A: Besides food, we are always happy to accept donations of diapers, feminine hygiene products, dental hygiene products, soaps, and detergents.

Q: What kinds of food donations do you most need?

A: Our needs vary, and you can find a weekly updated list of requested goods further down this page. We ask that you carefully assess the expiration dates on any goods that you bring in. Additionally, please refrain from bringing refrigerated goods, as we may not be able to stock them before they spoil.

Q: When are you open?

A: We welcome neighbors to pick out food from 8:00 to 11:00 am on Saturday. However, donation drop-off times are Monday-Friday as stated above.

Q: Can I volunteer? How?

A: Yes, we gladly welcome new volunteers! They are needed on Thursdays at 4:00 pm in the garden, Friday from 9:00-10:00 am to stock shelves in the pantry, and from 8:00-11:00 am on Saturday to help distribute food. Please contact Kathy Noyes (knoyes372@gmail.com) for more information.

Q: I am feeling under the weather. May I come in to help anyway?

A: Please do not. Even if it is not COVID-19, it is better for yourself and your neighbors to rest and recover if you are experiencing symptoms of any illness.

We thank you for your continuous support and service through the years. These times are difficult and we will all get through it together.


In 2021 we served 4,299 households, which represents  14,043 individuals. Click here to learn more about our history and operations.

A word from the Food Pantry president

Featured
April 19, 2023
April 19, 2023

Eagle Scout candidate, Mason Heth, and members of his scout troop worked Saturday afternoon in The Lord's Acre of Fletcher constructing two picnic tables. Over the winter and into early spring, Mason raised the funds to purchase supplies needed for the tables. Boards were purchased and cut into lengths for the benches, tops, and supporting structure pieces. As the scouts under the supervision of Mason began the construction task, his leadership skills were evident. He circulated throughout the site encouraging each scout in their particular task, and modeling when needed. For example how to use an electric sander. When the project was complete, Mason's father had hot pizza ready for the hungry scouts. Please come by the garden and enjoy "time at the tables" and the garden.

Read More →
April 12, 2023
April 12, 2023

When our neighbors arrived on Saturday morning, they were so appreciative of all the time and effort that the pantry volunteers had spent in preparation for food distribution and items for a tasty Easter meal. Not only were the shelves stocked with over 4,556.5 pounds of additional food items that have been delivered over the past two weeks from a Manna Food Drive.....(that's over two tons)....they also received a ham, a bag of potatoes, fresh green beans, a can of pineapple, dinner rolls, and a stick of butter. VERITAS provided Easter cards and two baskets of food items collected by their third graders. Hendersonville Middle School's entire student body participated in their food drive which was sponsored by the Student Council. Several representatives from the Student Council were ambassadors for the school and helped unload the 812 pounds of food items last Thursday.

Read More →
April 5, 2023
April 5, 2023

A picture is worth a thousand words! Last Friday look who backed up to our unloading area at the Pantry! Jacob and Rose from MANNA Food Bank with their van literally filled with food from two area schools. TC Roberson High and Fernleaf Community Charter School's students participated in a food drive sponsored by MANNA Food Bank. Again, it confirms what collaboration with the community and especially our young people can accomplish to help in reducing food insecurity in our community. We just barely unloaded the 2,750.5 pounds of food when Koontz Intermediate School arrives with a large pickup truck packed with 985.5 pounds of baskets and tubs of food items. The generosity of the community warms our hearts. We immediately began filling our shelves with these donations to ensure a quick return to our neighbors with food challenges. Saturday morning we were able to distribute lots of the food items to our 134 families representing 463 individuals and seven new families.

Read More →
March 29, 2023
March 29, 2023

The Calvary Episcopal Church Food Pantry's primary mission, goal, focus is the distribution of food each Saturday morning to help alleviate food insecurity in our community. Since 2009 when the Pantry opened, we have stayed the course. However, along this journey, we have evolved into more than a food pantry. Thanks to agencies like MANNA, who have many "wrap around services,” offer assistance in providing healthier choices of food through the SWAP program as one example. The UNC School of Pharmacy interns provide blood pressure, blood glucose checks, and seasonal flu shots several months over the year. The Lion's Club of Mills River offers eye screening twice a year for our neighbors. Volunteers have available the 211 cards. Twice a month Chef Martha provides cooking demonstrations using food items that are available on Saturday mornings. Neighbors enjoy a sample of the prepared item and are offered a recipe. WLOS videos Chef Martha for the Carolina Kitchen segments in the Pantry and garden where she uses items... again that are available in the Pantry. Most recently Chef Martha is featured in the spring Ingles Table Magazine for her deviled eggs and Green Pea Soup.

Read More →

 Administration

Board of Directors (Vestry of Calvary Episcopal Church) and Executive Committee (volunteers)

Check out our wonderful friend Chef Martha doing a food demo below!

Check out Martha’s recipes featured on WLOS!

Brown Sugar Glazed Pineapple Cake

Simple Bean Dip

Sweet Potato Hash Browns

 
Calvary%2BFood%2BPantry_final%2Blogo_Page_1.jpg

at a Glance

  • Open to anyone in need of food.

  • Open Saturday, 8:00 am - 11:00 am (except Christmas).

  • Over 100 volunteer hours donated weekly.

  • Over 60 volunteers participate each month.

  • Community supported.

Services Provided

  • Food is provided according to household size and selected by the clients themselves, with the help of a volunteer shopping assistant.

  • Clients use shopping carts, and volunteers escort them to their vehicles and help load their items.

  • In addition to packaged foods, we also provide fresh produce, eggs, milk, and bread, as well as frozen meat.

  • We provide roughly 3 1/2 meals worth of food per person per week.

  • On select Saturdays, the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Walgreens offer blood pressure checks and nutrition counseling.