Donors, public invited to Open House October 9
It was mid-morning on a Friday, and the CARES food pantry was a flurry of activity. Volunteers filled boxes in the warehouse with canned goods and other food, from frozen meats to produce and bakery items.
A steady stream of clients pulled into the drive-thru area to pick up their donation.
Inside, the lobby is unexpectedly cozy and inviting, with warm colors, soft lighting, and the Kindling Coffee Café. There, more volunteers assisted clients, answered questions, served coffee, and were on hand for a friendly conversation or a prayer.
“We have some amazing volunteers who really care about our clients,” said CARES Executive Director Brian Ergle. “Food is the driving force, but this is a place where people know they’re cared about. They get loved on and know we care.”
A history of the food pantry here
The CARES food pantry started as a small food bank in 1997 by the Holy Family Episcopal Church in Jasper, and became CARES in 2004. In 2006, to accommodate a growing need, the organization moved into its current space on Cares Drive. CARES now serves between 230 and 250 households a week, with about 1,400 to 1,600 people in those homes, including several hundred children.
Operations have grown so much that CARES now has five part-time employees and 65 to 70 volunteers who log thousands of hours getting food to people in need. Positions include intake, drivers, food counselors and baristas.
In Pickens County, Walmart, Kroger, Publix, and the Dollar General on Cove Road donate food, along with a few places in Canton and Holly Springs.
“We have drivers who pick up food five days a week,” he said.
“It’s the sweetest, most Godly place”
Volunteer Susan Armstrong, who retired after a career as a social worker with the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), has been at CARES for 13 years. She works as a food counselor and gathers information from clients during initial intake and periodic check-ins.
But she said CARES is “more than just a box of food,” calling it the “sweetest, most Godly place.”
“In my role, it’s a good chance to get to know clients and find out what other needs they might have and how else we can help,” she said. “People have come here for years, and we really are all like family. CARES is different.”
Armstrong, who is also on the CARES board, has seen eight directors come and go and said Ergle has been wonderful for the organization in the two years he has been in that position.
“Things have really blossomed since he has been here,” she said. “He has the best personality and loves on people and makes them feel supported.”
More than a
food pantry
Outside of food, CARES offers other crucial non-food services to the community.
“We have other ways we can help, too,” Ergle said.
CARES provides temporary financial assistance twice a month for clients (up to twice in 12 months per client, depending on need), as well as resource counseling and educational assistance.
Clients can’t just walk up unannounced to get food, but the intake process is simple and, while they do ask questions about a family’s need, no one is turned away.
In extenuating circumstances, they will also go out of their way to help.
“We had a guy who told us he hadn’t had any food for four days,” Ergle said, noting that while they don’t usually deliver, they made an exception in that case.
The organization’s annual budget is around $350,000, and not a dime comes from government assistance.
“All of that is from individuals, churches, and businesses,” he said. “We have some very generous folks and business partners, and we are very appreciative.”
Open House
October 9
CARES leaders are inviting those donors and partners, as well as members of the public, to their drop-in Open House on Friday, Oct. 9 from 1-3 p.m.
“We would love to have people come by and see what we do,” he said.
Food Distribution Hours – Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday @ First Baptist Church of Jasper: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Registration Required, Begins Oct. 7).
Financial Assistance
1st and 3rd Fridays every month from 9 – 10:30 a.m.
CARES is located at 89 Cares Drive. They can be reached at 706-253-4777.
Visit them online at caresforpickens.com.
