As rising costs tied to the war continue to hit families at the gas pump and in grocery aisles, one local pantry is stepping up, working overtime to make sure no one goes hungry.
The Storehouse food and hygiene pantry reopened in a new, larger location on Wednesday after a month-long move. The expanded facility off Spartanburg Highway in Flat Rock now offers four times the space, allowing the organization to serve even more families across Henderson County.
That growth comes at a critical time. Organizers say they've seen a surge in demand, with more than a 25% increase in the number of people seeking help.
Right now, the pantry is distributing more than 370 meal boxes each week to individuals and families facing hardship.
The process is simple. People in need write down what they need, and volunteers pack boxes based on available supplies.
"We know that we live in the Hendersonville-Asheville area. The price of everything, housing, everything has gone up," said Chris Pace, chairman of The Storehouse board. "And because of that, if you're a waitress or a single parent with kids, or anyone in need, we're here for you. We know that the need is great. We feel the pain, too."
A major focus is also on seniors living on fixed incomes. Pace said the pantry delivers to more than 60 seniors, providing not only food but also essential household items.
"For our clients, they're really at that point where they need us – not just your average family, I'm talking about seniors," Pace said. "We're seeing more seniors than ever before."
The expansion was made possible through community donations, and the additional space will also be used to teach families how to cook healthy meals in their new kitchen. Pace said they expect demand to keep growing.
Currently, The Storehouse operates three days a week, but leaders hope to expand to seven.
One of their biggest ongoing challenges is finding dedicated volunteers to meet the growing need. For those interested in donating or volunteering, click here.
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS