The Bradford Food Pantry is planning a dedication ceremony for their building on Thursday, June 9, starting at 10 a.m.
According to Food Pantry President Bob Milner, “We have been using the building now for several years since relocating from the original small building on Andrews Street across from Powell’s Dairy Freeze. Although the building is owned by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, we have a perpetual lease thanks to State Representative Bobby Payne and former Senator Rob Bradley.”
The ceremony will last only a few minutes according to Milner then attendees will go inside for a tour of the building and light refreshments furnished by Humana Health representative Tara Singletary.
Milner said there will be a surprise announcement that should please all supporters of the Food Pantry, especially those who served as volunteers during the early stages of the pantry.
Started in 1989 by several local churches, the name of the pantry initially was the Bradford Ecumenical Ministries but as pastors and volunteers aged out and moved away, the name was shortened to the Bradford Food Pantry. The name change helped in several ways according to Milner but the pantry still considers itself a faith-based organization operating under Biblical foundations.
“We are Christian-based and do not apologize for that — we just do not operate under any particular denomination and serve all clients regardless of religious affiliation or the lack thereof.”
Since the pandemic began in March 2020, the pantry operates as a drive-through only where clients receive their food without ever leaving their vehicles, thanks to dedicated volunteers. The pantry distributes food every Friday to an average of 140 vehicles and 165 families. Milner said food is received on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays from committed organizations and other times as opportunity arises.
“The Bradford Food Pantry would not exist if not for the dedicated volunteers, local churches, regular financial and food donations from supporters and committed food related organizations,” he said.
Some of the organizations who donate nearly weekly are Walmart of Starke, Winn Dixie of Starke, Waste Not/Want Not in Orange Park and Davis Express transportation. The pantry also receives food from Feeding Northeast Florida and FarmShare, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Milner said the current Board of Directors and volunteers invite all supporters and former volunteers to attend the short ceremony in anticipation of the surprise announcement.
The Bradford Food Pantry is located at 2226 N. Temple Ave. next to the former Farmer’s Market on the grounds of the Bradford Fairgrounds.
