Winn Community Food Pantry received a $4,100 grant to assist with the daily needs of running the pantry. The Winn Community Food Pantry is housed inside the First Presbyterian Church located at 302 S. Beville St., Winnfield. It has been in existence for over 40 years and runs solely on donations, while serving an average of 115 individuals weekly. 

Mrs. Shannan Chevallier, Nutrition and Community Health agent for LSU AgCenter saw the need and approached the Community Food Pantry with the grant opportunity.  The mini grant made possible the acquisition of new shelving to store more food, carts, a dolly for heavy transport, all the way down to paper and ink cartridges for our printers. The grant also provided tents and fans so volunteers could stay cool during the hot months and be available to the public when they arrive to pick up their grocery boxes. The food pantry incurs a large expense for paper bags, t-shirt bags, and Ziploc bags to get groceries to the clientele. Under this grant, these needs were also covered. 

One week Mrs. Chevallier prepared a nutritious meal for the participants to enjoy demonstrating a recipe using some ingredients found in their food box for the week. Each client received a thermal bag to carry their groceries for ease and food safety of transporting the food. These have been a highlight at the pantry.  “We are very thankful to be able to supply our clientele with these bags. If you haven’t seen our new signage, we are proud of it too! We want the community to know that we are here to serve and meet their needs.”