The food pantry began in 2001 in the basement of a church member’s home. It eventually moved to the old church office and now resides at the Agape Ministry Center at 423 West Wheeling St. in Lancaster, OH. The ‘win’ for the Lancaster Vineyard food pantry is to move our clients towards a relationship with Christ by serving them in a warm hospitable manner.
The food pantry distributes food to clients from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday and 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. each Thursday. 60 volunteers representing 22 families assist with the distribution of food. In 2001, nearly 300,000 pounds of food was distributed, which was purchase for just over two cents per pound. Funds to purchase food come from the annual church budget and from outside sources, like Panera, Ralston Parina, Dollar General and the Fairfield Foundation. In 2011, we served an average of 331 families/representing 997 persons per month, up 30% over 2010.
