By Isabella Zarate
The Oakwood Area Food Pantry Inc. (OAFP) has a busy month ahead of them. In addition to the pantry’s annual 5k Turkey Trot, they also have a building campaign in the works.
OAFP has been raising money to enclose their carport and to add 250 sq. feet to the current building.
The building now falls just over 900 sq. feet and with the growing reliance on the pantry comes a growing need for more space. With this new add-on, OAFP will have more room for storing food, which in turn will allow the pantry to serve more people.
According to the pantry’s Director and Board President, Heather McArty, the addition will provide “much-needed space to accommodate guests.”
OAFP is currently raising money for these improvements through sponsors and donations. At the beginning of the campaign, they set a goal to raise $30,000. To date, the pantry has raised $19,500.
“We’ve reached out to residents, churches, and businesses in the areas to ask for prayer and partnership in helping us achieve the challenging objective,” said McArty.
As for the donors, their generosity does not go unnoticed.
“Any sponsor that donates $100 or more by Nov. 19th is entered to win 7 days of accommodations at a beach house in Topsail Island, NC (generously donated by The Parks Companies).”
The prize winner will be announced on November 20th at the annual 5k Turkey Trot!
Additionally, all donations $100 and over will be recognized on a donor wall featuring a tree with the supporters’ names.
$100-$499 will earn a small bronze leaf on the tree, $500-$1,499 will get a medium silver leaf, $1,500-$2,999 will receive a large gold leaf, and a $3,000 sponsor will receive a bird on the tree.
Every week OAFP provides meals for 30-50 families, and all of it is done through the help of donations and volunteers.
By donating and contributing to this campaign you would play a part in helping to “embrace the residents in surrounding communities.”
Each and every donation makes a difference.
