By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
The story of this week’s non-profit began a few decades ago, when four local residents decided to address a need they saw among their Clay County neighbors.
Mary Bratton, Kathy Smith, Meg Whitley and John Corn knew folks’ cupboards sometimes ran a little bare in between paychecks. So in 1992, with the partnership of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, they founded the Clay County Food Pantry.
They initially distributed five to 10 boxes of food from a small basement room each Friday. All food was donated by local churches and individuals.
“This was truly a community grass roots effort and indicative of the volunteer spirit and sense of community we enjoy in Clay County,” Clay County Food Pantry president Jerry Sullivan said.
In early 2001, the Clay County Food Pantry moved into a new building at 2278 Hinton Center Road. After hosting an open house for community members, churches, Clay Chamber of Commerce and Hinton Center, the Clay County Food Pantry officially opened at its new location on Good Friday, April 21, 2001.
The needs have increased over the years. To accommodate more client schedules and alleviate some Friday morning congestion, the Clay County Food Pantry began opening its doors on Thursday evenings, in addition to its normal Friday hours. “We have been successful in both,” Sullivan said. “Friday mornings are much more manageable as many people have taken advantage of the Thursday distribution and we have added additional neighbors but not as much as we had hoped.”
Additionally, they started a bi-weekly food pantry in Brasstown through partnership with Matt’s Ministry, another food pantry in Clay County. “This has been well received by the community and is largely supported with volunteers from the Brasstown community,” Sullivan said.
The Clay County Food Pantry gives out an average of 200 boxes of food per week. This includes things like hygiene items, diapers and other sundries when available, but also food staples such as canned goods, produce, eggs, shelf milk, meat and cheese. “Our volume of neighbors needing assistance is up over 25 percent versus last year,” Sullivan explained, “Through September, we serve an average of 160 families, 405 individuals per week. At Brasstown, we average between 45-60 families per week. Through Sept. 2025, the Clay County Food Pantry has served 6,178 families or 15,806 individuals and has provided 7,794 boxes of food for the year.”
Food stamps, known as SNAP benefits, are scheduled to end on Nov. 1 so the Department of Social Services has been referring people to the food pantry, according to Sullivan.
“Need is to be self-determined; if a neighbor attends a food distribution or meal that is sufficient evidence to declare their need,” Sullivan said. “There are income guidelines for TEFAP, which is The Emergency Food Assistance Program, and individuals are asked if their income is below established household income levels. No validation is required and those that come to the pantry typically meet the threshold. If not, non-TEFAP assistance will be provided.”
The mission is posted on its website: “The Clay County Food Pantry is a non-profit organization in Clay County, N.C., whose purpose is to aid families and individuals in our community who suffer from hunger by providing food assistance, and to make referrals for other assistance, without reference to ethnic or racial origins, religious, political or social beliefs.”
“Our primary focus is to serve the needy within Clay County,” Sullivan said. “If someone comes to us from outside our area, we will give them food and direct them to a pantry in their more immediate area. We will not turn anyone away without providing them the food assistance they are seeking.”
Sullivan added, “We do not judge, we don’t know an individual’s circumstances and they vary wildly. We serve many elderly, veterans, disabled, young families, single moms and just people who are between jobs and having a hard time. It does not matter your situation and we will not ask. If you come in you will be greeted warmly, treated with respect and provided a small some relief to the day to day challenges.”
Along with Clay County Transportation, Sullivan said the pantry volunteers promote Hinton’s firewood yard and other community services. “We also have a community board with information on other programs available for them to get assistance,” he said.
Thanksgiving distribution will be from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. There will be turkeys, turkey breast or hams, along with an assortment of holiday sides. A similar holiday meal will be given for Christmas.
Currently, the Hayesville pantry on is open from 4-6 p.m. on Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Friday. The Brasstown Community Center food distribution is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays.
This is entirely a volunteers operation. Sullivan said churches of all denominations supplied volunteers to the pantry each month in the early 2000’s. At this time, the food pantry is fully staffed with more than 40 volunteers. “Many hands make for light work is a phrase we borrowed,” he said. Those interested in volunteering should stop by and speak to Jerry Sullivan or Susan Warner.
Donations of on-perishable pre-packaged and can food and monetary contributions are appreciated. Food donations may be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Thursday mornings at 2278 Hinton Center Road in Hayesville. CCFP food donations drums are at the exits of Hayesville Ingles.
Tax-deductible monetary donations may be made using the QR code or mailed to The Clay County Food Pantry, Inc. P.O Box 853, Hayesville, N.C. 28904. Call (828) 389-1657 or visit: claycountyfoodpantry.org.