Local food pantry to relocate

Jun. 7—LENOIR — The food pantry currently located at Mountain Grove Baptist Church will relocate later this month to Union Grove Baptist Church at 1808 Union Grove Rd.

The food pantry at Mountain Grove Baptist Church has been in operation for over decade. Larry Puett, director of Food Ministries and Community Outreach, and his wife, Sandra, took over the food pantry ministry about nine years ago.

Puett explained that there are more opportunities for the food pantry to grow at this new location.

The community is invited to the food pantry's open house event at Union Grove Baptist Church on Saturday, June 24 from 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

"We will dedicate the building back to God and lead a prayer over it," Puett said. "This gives people the opportunity to come in and get a look at it."

The food pantry will officially open Tuesday, June 27. The drive-thru food pantry will be open on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. In the meantime, the food pantry at Mountain Grove Baptist Church will remain in operation.

The food pantry offers both perishable and non-perishable foods, as well as household goods.

"Food pantries are important because many people are on a fixed income," said Puett. "They're looking for enough groceries just to be able to make it. We hear stories all the time of people having to decide whether to buy food or medicine. There's a lot of choices that they have to make."

The relocated food pantry will be in a big red building behind Union Grove Baptist Church, located at 1808 Union Grove Rd., Lenoir.

"We're here, and we love our people," Puett said. "God has blessed us, and we're blessed to be able to help other folks. Everybody's welcome here."