Roanoke Food Pantry — Local services in Roanoke

I recently had a troubling experience at a local pantry while seeking assistance for a friend who has two young children. My friend needed help with a pack of diapers, so I called the pantry and spoke with a staff member. She informed me of the documentation required: the children’s social security cards, paycheck stubs (since my friend is on leave), and a utility bill, among other things.

Given the extensive list of requirements, I decided it would be better to seek assistance elsewhere. The staff member's response was, “YOU CAN’T VISIT OTHER PANTRIES BECAUSE THAT’S DOUBLE DIPPING.” I was taken aback and explained that my friend wasn’t even in a position to “double dip” as she hadn't received any assistance yet. I found the response to be quite insulting and dismissive, especially given that I’ve supported this pantry with donations in the past. It’s disheartening to see such a lack of compassion when someone is in need.

I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as it’s important for those in service roles to treat people with empathy and respect, especially when they’re going through difficult times. May the organization continue to grow in understanding...

Let me tell you about this pantry – it’s a freaking game changer. For a guy like me, a disabled vet juggling the wild ride of borderline personality and the daily hustle to keep the fridge from looking like a ghost town, finding a place like this is like striking gold. It's not just about the grub; it's about the vibe. Walking into this place, I felt like someone hit the pause button on my world of worries. It was like they had a sign at the door saying 'Leave your shame and guilt here, buddy, you won't be needing those'. Losing over 100 lbs since this whole circus started, my backpack of shame and guilt was heavier than a lead singer's ego. But in this pantry, I felt lighter. For the first time in what feels like a gazillion years, I felt at home. These folks didn’t just hand me food; they handed me a slice of hope, wrapped in dignity, with a side of ‘you got this’. No pity stares, no condescending nods, just pure, unadulterated kindness. And for a guy who’s been through the wringer, that's like a breath of fresh air in a smog-filled city. So, hats off to this pantry. They're not just feeding bodies; they're feeding souls. And mine just got a...

The staff of volunteers are always working very hard to provide fresh quality food to people in need. They treat the needy with kindness and dignity.

They have a weekend end-of-month giant yard sale open to the public. You can discover all kinds of great finds at ver🙃y low prices. The sale earns $$ to keep the lights on, so everyone needs to go shop!!

You can also help them serve our community by donating your gently-used or new items. Also food, and of course donations of cash always helps. These are...