This year’s primary election will be held Tuesday and not only will voters have the chance to vote for their favorite candidate, they can also pick up a hot meal at Crossroads Food Pantry in Poplarville.
According to previous coverage, the non-profit organization serves needy clients in the Mississippi River, Ford’s Creek, White Sand and Henleyfield locations.
“We receive no government funding and our operation relies soley on donations and volunteers,” director Sharon Bonnecarrere said.
From January to June of this year, the food pantry served more than 830 households, which adds up to about 2,257 people, Bonnecarrere said.
Because Crossroads is not government funded, the only criteria is that beneficiaries reside in the service area, Bonnecarrere said in previous coverage, but even that stipulation can be bent.
“We don’t turn anybody away,” Bonnecarrere said. “Even if some of the households aren’t in our service area. We also help them find food pantries located where they live.”
Recently, Bonnecarrere and pantry volunteers have been learning about organizations who may provide help with bills and health services for low-income individuals and those without medical insurance.
There are currently 14 people who volunteer at the pantry, Bonnecarrere said.
Tuesday’s fundraiser begins at 10 a.m. and will last until they run out of food, Bonnecarrere said. The meals will be free and include hot dogs, homemade chili and potato salad. Sno-balls, popcorn and drinks will be available $1 each.
Officials will be selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a $400 Academy Sports and Outdoors gift card or a Michael Kors handbag, Bonnecarrere said. The cost for one ticket is $1 or 6 tickets for $5. A drawing for the prizes will be held in December.
“We will also have a nurse on-site who will provide free health screenings for blood pressure, heart rate and sugar,” Bonnecarrere said.
A larger fundraiser will also be held on Election Day in November, Bonnecarrere said. The group is raising funds to upgrade their refrigeration equipment.
Crossroads Food Pantry is open every second Wednesday of the month and hands out groceries to those in hand, previous coverage states. Grocery items include meats, canned goods, bread and dry goods.
All donations are tax-deductible and anyone wishing to donate to the food pantry may contact Bonnecarrere at 601-799-3045.
Crossroads Food Pantry is located at 176 Old Crossroads West, Poplarville.
Learn more about the pantry through Facebook at Crossroads Food Pantry.