Deeper Purpose Opens Community Fridge/Pantry

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Community Fridge and Reach-in Pantry is now open at the Deeper Purpose Worship & Youth Center, 19975 N.W. 244^th Street, in the plaza next to Subway.

The church is asking everyone who needs this service, and those who will help support it, to take what they need and leave what they can.

In a statement issued by the church, residents are encouraged to be supportive of the effort. “Be considerate that there are other families who need items as well. This will only be successful if it’s not abused, not taken advantage of and everyone keeps other families in mind.”

Once a week church organizers will shop for items for the fridge and pantry. However, they caution that, “considering the number of families that will use it, it will need the support of others who have extra items that they can donate.”

For those who wish to donate items, organizers ask that contributions are not expired and not damaged. All items will be inspected daily to help ensure that the food going out is safe to go to families and consume. The church says they have many policies and guidelines in place to help make sure things run smoothly.

Deeper Purpose Food Pantry, Distributions and Community Fridge is the page to follow, as the church will post mostly what is available. There is no set day that the organizers will shop during the week, just once a week, as needed. For those that want to donate monetarily for the church to purchase items, see the graphic on their webpage for ways to donate. “This was a vision and dream of Mrs. Cherie Joy, so we hope it can thrive for years to come in our community,” say church organizers.

Organizers say the pantry is unique in that it is located outside in a safe and well-lit location and is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so that families that can’t get to daytime food distributions can come and get food after normal business hours and on weekends.

Due to safety reasons, the fridge and freezer will be locked daily at 5:30 p.m. when staff leaves, but they will try to have it opened daily by 10 a.m. If people find it locked during the day on the weekend, it means nothing is currently in it or staff wasn’t available to get it opened for the day. The opening of the Community Fridge is expanding the many ministries of Deeper Purpose Community Church.

This pantry and fridge is not just for High Springs residents. Anyone who can get to it is welcome to get needed food or donated items.

The next major food distribution is Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. at the Deeper Purpose Kids Academy preschool entrance located behind the worship center.

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