November is a month for giving thanks, but there are people and places in the community where hope and support are also needed year-round. While counting your blessing, it is important to remember those less fortunate who need an outlet for giving thanks.
That is just what is being offered by the Anchor of Hope food pantries that will be placed around the community in Pascagoula. The first pantry was dedicated at the end of October with more to come.
The food pantries were the brainchild of Howard and Bridgitte Ware, lifelong residents of Jackson County, who were seeking opportunities to help others. Together with Matt and Alice Lachaussee and the Pascagoula Men’s Club, the first pantry is stocked and available.
“The pantry will provide free food to families facing food insecurity while also creating opportunities for neighbors to give back and support one another,” Mrs. Ware said. “We believe that a community is stronger together. Our little free pantry box is an opportunity to give and receive.”
And it is truly a blessing for the giver and the receiver. With food prices soaring and the homeless population growing, Anchor of Hope provides an opportunity to give back for the blessings bestowed.
“If you need a blessing, take one. If you have a blessing, leave one. Above all, be blessed,” she said. “You can be a part of this by donating shelf stable pantry items directly to the box.”
This pantry is 10 months in the works after Mrs. Ware realized the significant need for nutrition in the country.
“People were hungry. Food is a basic need that many of us take for granted,” she said. “Through research, I learned the staggering statistic that one in five children in Mississippi face food insecurity. The national numbers are identical. That means children are going to bed hungry.”
In her quest to follow models from other counties and to create a Christian-based mission in the Pascagoula-Moss Point area, she began connecting business leaders, community organizations and individuals who were all interested in tackling the food insecurity issue.
“I called Mrs. Monica Mingo, small business owner of That Gumbo Life in Gautier, and she gave me encouragement, advice and valuable information from her own personal experiences,” Mrs. Ware said. “She was so genuine and easy to talk to that I felt like I had known her forever.”
That was when schools, churches and other organizations were connected and momentum began to grow. Food collection boxes were placed at area businesses for a summer food drive and students at Resurrection High School were asked to offer assistance. That is how the Anchor Club was established followed by The Anchor of Hope.
“Dr. Lachaussee and I met with the Pascagoula Men’s Club in July, and they not only funded the project but also built three of the small pantries,” Mrs. Ware said. “What an amazing blessing! Anchor of Hope was born because of many friends having a common goal.”
The first mini pantry is placed at Bozo’s Too with two other boxes that will be placed in the community this month. Donations may be dropped off at one of the pantry sites or at Resurrection High School. Monetary donations may be sent to RCS/Resurrection Catholic School, a 501(c) non-profit, by adding “Anchor Club” in the memo.
“Our mission statement is, ‘For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people’s love and concern for each other,’ as quoted by Mildred Fuller,” Mrs. Ware said. “I am also constantly reminded of a quote by Mother Teresa, ‘If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.’ By offering free food items, we could help families stretch their weekly budget.”
The first three pantries will be placed in Pascagoula, but plans are already underway to expand the program across the gulf coast.
*Photos provided by Bridgitte Ware
