Food Options in Clay County

Winter often increases the need for food assistance as some people must choose whether to heat their homes or buy adequate food. Some people may have less work or not as much homegrown food. Local residents are no exception. 

The Clay County Food Pantry has been serving about 100 families a week during most of Covid. Bill Rice, president of the food pantry said the weekly number being served has increased to about 150 families this fall. 

“The week before Thanksgiving, for the pantry's Turkey Day, we served 200 families with a regular box of food plus a Thanksgiving box, including a whole dinner with a choice of a turkey, chicken or ham,” Rice explained. “We do this every Thanksgiving. This was the first time we have provided a regular box in addition to the Thanksgiving box at a minimum. Larger families always receive an additional regular box.”

While the Clay County Food Pantry will be open from 9am until 1pm on Friday, December 24, as it is every Friday, clients will receive a special holiday box the week before Christmas.  On Friday, December 17, families will be given a typical food box, along with a ham, turkey or chicken and cookies. The organization will also be open regular hours on Friday, December 31.

They are no longer serving clients on a drive-through basis; however, they are currently still distributing food boxes under canopies in the parking lot. Everyone is given a “menu” from which they can choose food to go into their boxes. They hope to return to an indoor food pantry soon, Rice said.

 Last year, the Clay County Food Pantry received a grant which allowed them to supply other items besides food, to seniors. “The pantry has always emphasized providing food,” he said. “We focused on items such as Ensure or Boost, plus paper and hygiene items as well as household cleaners which were all popular.  Although the grant was a onetime event last year, we have continued the program and expanded parts of the program to all families.”

Rice said they have had to start buying a lot more of the food and other goods locally, which usually costs more. “During Covid, the availability of food was an issue for some time,” he said. “This past summer, supply improved to be followed this fall with supply issues plus cost increases. Ingles has supported us to the extent possible, with pantry purchases and barrels to receive donations. Other local retailers have also assisted.  We have spent more on items that go into the food boxes this year, than ever before because it has been needed and thankfully, donors have supported the pantry.”

Rice said individual donations of food and other necessities, as well as money or time are a major source of support for The Clay County Pantry. Monetary donations may be mailed to the Clay County Food Pantry, P. O. Box 853, Hayesville, North Carolina, 28904 or come by the pantry. “We are at the pantry every Thursday morning preparing for distribution of food on Fridays from 9 am to 12 pm,” he added. Anyone interested in volunteering may also come to the pantry at 2278 Hinton Center Road or call the pantry at 828-389-1657.

Clay County has another food pantry which is open on Saturday mornings for those who need food assistance. Matt’s Ministry has been serving about 80 families weekly at the pantry facility, along with 30 families who receive food by delivery every week.

Matt’s Ministry board member Maggie Butler shared details. “Our numbers are down from the pandemic,” she said. “We just opened our doors and think with self-service. families getting what they want and need, our numbers will go up.” For more than a year, Matt’s Ministry served clients with a drive through food pantry, but this allows clients to walk through and choose what they want for their food bags.

Butler added, “I know our clients are glad to be in and interacting with our volunteers.” In addition to the food pantry, Matt’s Ministry has a literacy program which provides books to Clay County children through Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Information on the group’s website says, “Our purpose is to provide food to in-need citizens of Clay County with special emphasis on at-risk children and seniors; and fund literacy and reading opportunities for local children.”

Local residents can also help Matt’s Ministry in a variety of ways. The organization needs volunteers, as well as food and money donations to purchase food. Anyone who wants to volunteer or who has questions about Matt’s Ministry should call Maggie Butler at 828-361-9983.

Donations may be sent to PO Box 205, Hayesville, North Carolina, 28904.  Please specify if the donation is intended for the food pantry or for the literacy program.

Matt’s Ministry Food Pantry is open 10am to 12m, every Saturday, at 123 WJ Cabe Road in Hayesville, North Carolina. Visit mattsministry.org.