Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Food pantry plans grand opening

When Dallas businessman Brian Burton began looking for a project, he soon realized that there was a need for a food pantry in Nevada County. The pantry has now been open for more than a month and a ribbon cutting is set for April 25 from noon to 1 p.m.

Being from Arkansas and seeing the needs, particularly in the rural areas, and seeing how little is being done led me to do something, Burton said.

With little more than a dream and the contacts to get the ball rolling, Burton teamed up with a local volunteer, Mary Russell, to install a food pantry in Prescott that would serve all of Nevada County and the Gurdon area of Clark County. The pantry opened Feb. 4.

Were off to a booming start, Burton said.

The pantry is located on Highway 19, just across from the Potlatch entrance. The location and services are more important than ever, considering the recent announcement of Potlatchs closing, Burton said. The building currently occupied by the pantry is small but Burton said that with some careful planning its now meeting their needs.

Burton said theres a mindset that those who seek out the services of a food pantry are desperate or deserve the scorn of the community. He said he sees that as a problem.

The working poor important needs of any community, Burton said.

He said that an entire community is caught up in the success  or failure  of each of its members.

When you meet basic needs, people are less desperate, Burton said. People with hope have a better vision for the future. No matter what economic class were in, we all benefit when one group benefits.

Burton said there have been some misconceptions about his own situation.

People think Im this rich guy from Dallas, he said.

In truth, he funded the project but said he cant continue to do so indefinitely. He said his hope is that the food bank will eventually become self-sustaining through donations and grants. Currently, Russell is a volunteer but Burton said he hopes the food bank can eventually pay at least one staff member.

The food pantry doesnt work like some food programs. Burton said that in most places, the person seeking help is handed a box of food. It may be food their family enjoys or something that no one in the house likes  meaning its relegated to a shelf until theres absolutely nothing else to eat. The goal of the local pantry is to provide nutritious food that families can  and will  use. Toward that end, a person who takes advantage of the pantrys service shops. Foods are grouped and the client is given a choice of foods from a particular group.

Burton said another goal is to overcome the imagine of a dark corner where those seeking aid should be ashamed. Instead, the pantry is to be a place of helping. Burton said that the goal is naturally to be a short-term solution as people move from one job to another or land on hard times, but that theyll also help senior citizens and the disabled who are in situations that wont change over time.

We are going to serve them every month, Burton said. We dont want them to fall in any deeper.

Another point Burton makes is that the food pantry wont provide unlimited services. Individuals and families will be provided with about enough food for a weeks worth of meals, and that service will be provided monthly. Burton said the pantry isnt in the position to provide all the food a family needs for long-term survival but that a weeks worth of food should help families pay other bills and make future plans.

The pantry is currently seeking donations of non-perishable food, diapers, plastic locking food bags, plastic sacks for carrying out food and office supplies. Cash donations are also accepted.

Burton said the next step will be to achieve the non-profit status and to establish a board to oversee the project.

For more information or to make a donation, call 887-FOOD (887-3663).