Hampstead ministry gets slice of 'pie' along U.S. 17 for food pantry

Chase Jordan, Wilmington StarNews
·3 min read
A visitor at a food pantry for Share the Table, Inc. The organization is raising money to build a new facility near U.S. 17.
A visitor at a food pantry for Share the Table, Inc. The organization is raising money to build a new facility near U.S. 17.

As the need to feed people struggling with food insecurity continues, Dawn Ellis is looking forward to having a larger building along U.S. 17 in Hampstead.

Ironically, an oddly pie-shaped property was a part of moving forward for Share the Table, Inc., a food pantry and ministry located along N.C. 50 in Hampstead.

"We're just glad that we're able to help," said Ellis, executive director of Share the Table.

A rezoning request for the property on Perkins Drive, near U.S. 17, was passed by Pender County Commissioners during a July 11 meeting. Share the Table received nearby property before realizing the pie-shaped would be beneficial for a stormwater pond, which will provide more parking near the building.

Overflow parking spaces would also be available.

Outgrowing the property, the organization is working to build a new facility about a mile away from its current location at 12395 N.C. 50 in Hampstead. The building will house the food pantry, free community meals and ministry. Another initiative is the MUNCH (Meals Until No Child Hungers) Backpack Program for Topsail area elementary and middle schools. A food closet with donations was established at the local high school as well.

Officials from Share the Table recently approved to use a pie shaped piece of property near U.S. 17.
Officials from Share the Table recently approved to use a pie shaped piece of property near U.S. 17.

Share the Table feeds an average of 1,000 people per week. In 2020, Share the Table distributed more than 599,000 pounds of food, equating to 504,832 meals.

"We just want to continue to grow those programs and help feed more people," Ellis said. "We also want to do some educational programs and health and nutrition classes."

Ellis founded the faith-based organization back in 2010. It began with just a free community meal at Faith Harbor United Methodist Church.

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"Once we did that, we realized the need was greater than we thought," she said.

The idea led to a food pantry now supported by several churches in the area, civic organizations and local businesses in Pender and Onslow counties. Share the Table helps people in Holly Ridge, Surf City, Hampstead, Rocky Point, Scotts Hill, Sneads Ferry, Jacksonville, Topsail Beach and North Topsail Beach.

Ellis said the needs increased after Hurricane Florence and the COVID-19 pandemic, and continues today.

"We got a wonderful volunteer base, and we got a waiting list actually for volunteers," she said. "So, we're very blessed with that. We always need food, but definitely money is the biggest deal right now to get this facility built for us."

According to the organization, 13.6% of residents in Pender County and 15.2% of Onslow County face food insecurities. Feeding America projects rates to increase to 19.1% and 21.5% respectively for both counties.

Share the Table, Inc. is working to raise $1.3 million for a new food pantry along U.S. 17
Share the Table, Inc. is working to raise $1.3 million for a new food pantry along U.S. 17

A capital campaign is underway to raise $1.3 million for the facility. So far, they have received about half. Information about the campaign is available online at www.sharethetablenc.com.

Ellis and other officials are hoping to break ground by the end of the year.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Hampstead ministry gets land along U.S. 17 for new food pantry