The Clay County Food Pantry is a non-profit organization in Clay County NC, 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.
Hours of Operation: Fridays 9am to 12noon
The Clay County Food Pantry began distributing food in 1992 at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, using the basement of Oak Forest United Methodist Church. This non-denominational, ecumenical effort has the vision to resolve the suffering of Clay County's hunger "one box at at time". In 1995, the organization incorporated and obtained 501(c)(3) status. With demand growing, and space a challenge, in 2000, the Clay County Food Pantry opened a purpose-built facility on Hinton Center Drive, dedicated to providing food to those less fortunate.
Over the last five years, the Clay County Food Pantry has served an average of 533 families a month and distributed an average of 7,600 boxes of food per year. CCFP, like other regional pantries, experienced a decline in clients in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID concerns. Clients avoided public places and had other assistance that was available to them. As those programs expired, and inflation impacted family grocery bills, we realized a higher level of demand. That inflation significantly affected CCFP’s cost, making your donations even more important.
2024-2026 Board of Directors
Jerry Sullivan- President & CEO
Susan Warner - Vice President
Trish Nicholas - Treasurer
Debra Bolle - Secretary
Directors
Sandi Culley * Sharon Hayden * Sandy Jersey
Linda Kennedy * Bob McGinnis * Bill Rice
John Roler * Judy Schmitt * Fannie Watson
Our Key Supporters
BUSINESSES
Ingles Market #116 - Hayesville
Highway 69 Storage
Mark Moore Insurance Services Inc.
McKinney Heating & Air
Snap-On Tools - Murphy NC
Walmart - Murphy NC
CHURCHES
Christ the King Church – Hiawassee GA
First UMC of Union County GA
Hayesville Church of Christ
Hayesville First United Methodist Church
Hayesville Presbyterian Church
Little Brasstown Baptist Church
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
Moss Memorial Baptist Church
Oak Forest United Methodist Church
Presbytery of WNC
Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
Cherokee Preservation Foundation
Gottlieb Family Matching Fund
Highland Cashiers Foundation
Hinton Rural Life Center
John C. Campbell Folk School
MANNA Food Bank - Asheville
United Way of Cherokee & Clay Counties
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
American Legion of Clay Co Post 532
Clay County Rotary Club
Clay County Tractor Club
Lions Club of Clay Co NC
MANNA Food Bank - Asheville
Misty Mountain Quilters Guild
WHO WE ARE
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The Clay County Food Pantry was voted Best Charity by readers of the Clay County Progress in 2022!