Downtown Food Pantry

The present Downtown Food Pantry had its inauspicious beginnings in a small room in the basement of the First United Methodist Church. The year was approx. 2002 and the need to “feed the hungry” was a growing concern. The pantry at that point was stocked with donations of non-perishable items and by generous monetary giving. Apparently this mission had the blessing of the LORD because the demand kept growing. It was moved to a larger room and the decision was made to purchase our food from the North Texas Food Bank. After several years, the 800 sq.ft. was inadequate so the former 1200sq.ft. Co-Ministries building at 3454 Clarksville was refurbished hoping that it would fill our needs. The building could serve 500 families a month easily but the LORD was now sending upwards of 800 so a search was started for a larger building.

The search led us to an 8700 sq.ft. building at 124 W. Cherry St. which has been turned into an awesome facility to “ to feed HIS sheep”. Plans are ongoing as to all the possibilities that might develop with the acquisition of this amount of space. We will just continue to follow HIS lead and see what miracles might happen.

Up to this point The First United Methodist of Paris Texas has been the prime force behind THE DOWNTOWN FOOD PANTRY as the above history reflects. However, our goal is that this venture will evolve into a separate, stand-alone, community support effort. To achieve this goal a separate 501(3C) corporate charter is working its way through the legal maze toward fruition. This new corporation will be completely separate and apart from The First United Methodist Church with its own board of directors. This Board is to be made up of representatives from various churches, clubs, companies and other organizations that wish to be a part of and are interested in providing this truly Christian mission to the hungry of Lamar County.