Food Pantry
Volunteer Program
Volunteer Hours: Approximately 1 to 4 hours between the hours of 8:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Additional hours can be worked to prepare for pantry day or to deliver.
Wish List Items:
Canned meat, fish, soups, canned fruits, canned vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, dry storage milk, condiments, juices, and complete meals.
CONTACT: For more information, directions, emergency needs, volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, or to donate food items, please email smallshells56@gmail.com List "Pantry" in the subject line.
What You Can Do:
- Tell everyone in need of pantry services about BRCO's pantry program.
- Become a volunteer.
- Become a dedicated Sponsor.
- Become a Sponsor of the Month.
- Donate food items on the Wish List.
Bethel Community Pantry
MANNA Food Distribution and Pantry
Bethel Rural Community Pantry (BRCP) is a working committee of the Bethel Rural Community Organization, Inc. (BRCO).
Food Pantry Purpose to Mission: The BRCO Food Pantry is committed to responding to the needs of our community through food distribution and providing access to local support services.
MANNA Food Bank Partner: The BRCO Food Pantry partners with Manna Food Bank, a member of Feeding American and is in compliance with its regulations.
BRCO Food Certification: Manna Food Bank Food Safety Training for Food Pantries Certificate of Completion.
Qualifications for Food Assistance: If a neighbor attends the food distribution it is sufficent evidence to declare their need. The BRCO Food Pantry is established to provide food for the Bethel community but will always give food to a first time out of area visitor and will share information on other Manna partners in their own region.
Emergency Food Assistance: Available to anyone who self declares need.
Location: 664 Sonoma Road, Waynesville, NC. The location for the 2nd Wednesday food distribution is the parking lot between Bethel Middle School and BRCO's building. The 4th Wednesday food distribution in the the BRCO Community Center building.
Dates for Distribution: 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Weather Schedule: If Haywood County schools close, pantry will open the next day school is in session. If schools have a delayed start, schedule will be as usual.
Food: Pasta, rice, dry beans, cereal, meat, eggs, bread, fruit juice, canned items, produce, and pet food.
Farm and Produce Stand Coupons: BRCO coordinates with local farms and produce stands to supply coupons to be used at their locations in Bethel.
Dedicated Sponsorship Program
Churches and individuals in Bethel Community regularly contribute monetarily or with food donations, either on a monthly or quarterly basis:
Dedicated Sponsors:
Encouraging Word Baptist Church
Riverside Baptist Church
Crestview Baptist Church
Sponsor of the Month Program
Contact us to provide flyers so that you can either hold a food drive or donate a large quantity of a specific food item from the "Wish List."
Volunteers May Choose Among the Following Tasks:
- Organizing the pantry
- Pick-up and unloading of food
- Assembling emergency boxes
- Making local deliveries for our homebound
Manna Food Bank reports that the need for food in WNC is nearly double pre-pandemic numbers. Here too, in our Bethel community, we have seen a 154% increase in food insecurity since 2019/2020. In 2022 we served an average of 52 families per month. Additionally, Manna Food Bank states that food donations have dropped dramatically so food costs have risen for food banks just as they have in grocery stores. Now more than ever food pantries are essential resources for the community.
Bethel Rural Community Food Pantry Volunteers