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COLUMBUS — Plenty of changes and improvements defined a big year for the Columbus Food Pantry during 2023. Each important factor of their operations experienced several tweaks as they try to reach as many families as possible with their service. Throughout the year, they stayed committed to their goal of supplementing the needs of their clients to help them become independent at some point.
“It is because of community support that we can provide much needed services to families in our community,” the Columbus Food Pantry said in a written statement.
In terms of their actual service, the pantry grew to help more households in 2023. CFP served 567 households and 2,827 individuals throughout the year. Each household would visit about five times a month on average with about 237 households per month.
CFP continued to supply the Columbus Junior High food closet for students in need as well as changed their options each month for the fresh food supplied in their food bags.
The Columbus Food Pantry’s finances showed some positive signs as well. They were able to spend 92% of their total budget on food and just 8% on their operations. Overall, they spent about $38,000 on food throughout the year.
They also received four new grants as well as cash and food donations from local grocery stores and Walmart. Several schools, churches, businesses and community events also chipped in with donations throughout the year.
They were able to make some additions to their technological capabilities as well after a grant from the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent. Clients can now check in to the food pantry with iPad and laptops to streamline their service and keep data. The Columbus Food Pantry is also hoping to start using a new website that is still in development.
CFP’s administrative policies saw some changes as well after changing written guidelines for inventory, ordering food and establishing financial procedure with their operations. They consolidated all of their files and records to a single location and their volunteers and board members also received training as part of initiatives to better assist the community.
Three board members also participated in “A Day of Philanthropy” in November led by the Fayette Community Foundation to learn about grant writing and marketing as well as meet several donors from around the state.
The Columbus Food Pantry board expressed their appreciation for all donors whether monetary or through food donations. However, they did state that monetary donations help maximize the amount of food they can provide. According to CFP, a single dollar donation can purchase five pounds of food from the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, their regional food bank.
CFP has committed to their mission of working with community churches to eliminate hunger. Despite working with churches, the organization is fully staffed by volunteers as a 501C3 organization.
