What We Know: Families in Stone County now have a new place to turn when they need a little extra help.
Christian Action Ministries (CAM) officially opened a permanent food pantry in Reeds Spring on July 1 after serving the county through mobile food pantries in recent years.
The nonprofit has been helping families in neighboring Taney County since 1984.
What It Means: The new pantry gives visitors something the mobile sites couldn’t always provide — the chance to choose their own groceries. Instead of receiving a pre-packed box, families can shop for the foods they need, helping reduce waste and making it easier to avoid items they can’t eat.
An executive director says giving people that choice also helps preserve their dignity.
She said the organization wanted Stone County families to receive the same level of service already available in Taney County.
The Reeds Spring location also makes it easier to reach families across the county. It’s close to one of the area’s largest school districts, and the pantry will be open on Mondays when students and parents may have more flexibility to stop by.
What’s Next: CAM isn’t ending its mobile food distributions.
Those will continue to serve communities where traveling to a grocery store or pantry can still be difficult. Families will now have the option of using either the mobile sites or the new client-choice pantry.
The pantry is located at 385 State Highway 76 in Reeds Spring.
It is open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on the third Wednesday of each month from 4:30 to 6:15 p.m.
Beginning later this summer, it will also open on the first Saturday of each month at 11 a.m., with a free lunch available for visitors.
(Photo provided by Shutterstock)