Pantry workers deliver food to recipients March 25. (Donna Ash)

HOLT, Fla., March 25, 2020–The Holt Community Food Pantry is continuing its mission during the ongoing coronavirus scare.

“People still need to eat, regardless of the health crisis going on,” said Donna Ash, pantry manager.

To ensure the safety of pantry workers and clients, food recipients remain in their cars and workers bring their food to them.

“We are abiding by the rules,” Ash said. “So far the food is holding. We will continue to provide what we have without interruption.”

The pantry depends on donations to keep the ministry going, both monetary and food. With the money, pantry workers buy dried goods, and eggs and milk when they’re available, from Feeding the Gulf Coast food bank in Milton.

However, ever since Hurricane Michael slammed ashore in the Panama Beach area in 2018, the Milton food bank has been a hit-or-miss source for filling the pantry shelves.

Additionally, every other week, the pantry receives a food delivery from Destin Harvest containing produce, breads, meats, dried goods, sometime dairy and other assorted items.

On the weeks the truck can’t make it, the pantry scrambles to fill the void.

“We feed about 125 families a month with donations,” said Ash. “Any support, whether food or money, helps.”

Anyone who wants to donate to the Holt Community Food Pantry should contact the First Baptist Church of Holt at 850-537-6170.

The pantry is open Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon; however, people have to be in line by 11:40 a.m. to receive food.

Stephanie Holcombe