In less than a year since opening, the St. Francis of AssisiFood Pantry, part of the Society of Saint Vincent dePaul, hasassisted more than 120 families.

Food provided to families in need has been solely provided bydonations from church members.

“The members of the church have been very generous with money,food and prayers,” said Mark Nettles, who leads the St. Vincentgroup with Father Patrick Noonan.

Nettles pointed out that even though parishioners’ tithes anddonations have been stretched to assist in the church’s currentrenovation, “they have not failed the food pantry when there was aneed.”

He was excited to hear that the Holiday Food Pantry Fund drive,which began last week and will continue through Dec. 19, willbenefit the food pantry.

“It’s a small food pantry and the need has been growing,” saidNettles.

The extra money raised through the Holiday Food Pantry Fund,sponsored by The DAILY LEADER and Bank of Brookhaven, will be usedto help the ministry grow and reach others.

“Our main goal is to show them Jesus and to get to know them andtheir needs and their problems and use that opportunity to witnessto the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Nettles. “Everybody that comesinto the pantry is prayed for.”

People in need call or come by the church asking for food. Oneof the 12 volunteers for the Society of Saint Vincent dePaul goesto the food pantry and gathers nonperishable items for them.

“Each one of our volunteers has a sincere desire to help thepoor and the sick and the lonely,” said Nettles.

When receiving goods, the client gives the volunteer a name,address and phone number.

“After we meet their need, we go back and check on them and seehow they’re coming along,” said Nettles, adding that the visit is agreat opportunity to witness and pray with the needy.

He said the intent of the food pantry is to meet physical needswhile also addressing spiritual needs.

“In the face of every client that comes to us, we see the faceof Jesus,” he said.

Donating money to the food pantry allows others to reach needy.Donations are used to buy food at local grocery stores, many ofwhich have offered discounts to the food pantry.

Nettles hopes the food pantry can grow into a bigger ministry sovolunteers can “reach and teach others about Jesus.”

The motto of the Society of Saint Vincent dePaul is “No work ofcharity is foreign to the society. Need, not creed, determines whois helped and how.”

When funds are available the society also offers energyassistance, medicine and other help to their clients.

“We would like to thank The DAILY LEADER, Bank of Brookhaven,and everyone who gives to the food pantry fund,” said Nettles.

Monday: Union Hall Baptist Church FoodPantry.