Jana McMahan and Kandy Dorris give away more than just food at the New Life Christian Church United food pantry; they offer hospitality, hope and gratitude.
McMahan and Dorris, both members of the congregation at 301. N. Main St. in Downtown Poplar Bluff, began their volunteer service at the church’s food pantry about a year and a half ago.
The pantry began with small bags of food taken from donations collected from the church membership. It has grown to a monthly pickup from a food truck from SEMO Area Food Bank along with a monthly local pantry offering for those in need throughout the community.
“When we first started this, we didn’t have much food to give out,” McMahan said. “It was enough to put in somebody’s belly for the day, but word of mouth got out, and people have come in.”
During the winter months, food packages were augmented with socks and hats for those who had none.
“We can tell that they’re homeless because they don’t have any socks on,” McMahan said. “They come here to warm up, and we knew that we were helping people, we really did.”
That gratitude has grown into giving back.
“When we have our food trucks, the people who come to our pantry to get food help us out with the food truck because they want to give back,” McMahan said. “That is such a blessing.”
“They are grateful, and they tell us they’re happy about it,” Dorris said. “It gives them help, and their kids, too.”
“It’s been such a blessing with the food truck because now we’re able to give them more groceries than before,” McMahan said.
“They make us feel so grateful,” she added. “We get hugs, we’ve prayed with people, they’ve asked us at church to pray, and I take down their prayer request and give it to John, and they are so grateful.”
“John” is the Rev. John Harwell, who pastors New Life Church. He is also grateful for the mission service the two women provide to the community.
“They truly both are gifted with the heart to serve those who haven’t been being served,” Harwell said. “They demonstrate the welcome to the folks who come into the pantry that they don’t receive anywhere else.”
“I feel blessed because I know that I’m helping somebody else who really needs it,” McMahan said. “Even if it’s just a little bit of groceries, and a little bit of personal supplies, or a roll of toilet paper, they don’t have it, and it’s things that we take for granted.”
“It makes me grateful for the little things, like brushing your teeth, and having deodorant and toilet paper,” Dorris said.
The church pantry is not limited to food items. They also offer personal hygiene items, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, toilet paper, incontinence products, and feminine hygiene supplies.
McMahan says that what they are doing for the community is just a start.
“In the community there’s a real need for it,” she said. “If you ride around at night in certain places, you see how urgent the need is.”
“We want them to know that somebody loves them and cares about them,” Dorris said. “We are trying to be there for them.”
“Everybody gives us hugs,” McMahan said. “We appreciate them, and we really are glad we can help.”
“I feel it’s a privilege to be able to do this,” Dorris said.
“Anytime part of the body of Christ does mission somewhere, what needs to happen is that lives need to change,” Harwell said. “Mission changes lives; it’s what it is supposed to do.
“The fact that we can help put some food on somebody’s table helps change their life,” he said. “Being able to extend welcome and a sense of belonging to people when they come in changes lives — it makes them feel worthwhile.
“Jana and Kandy are people who’ve always done a lot for others, but this has touched both of them in a way that has been unique to them,” Harwell said. “I’ve seen their lives be changed by our mission, and I’m very grateful to be witness to that.”