Englewood Helping Hand, Inc. opens new food pantry

The Englewood community turned out in large numbers to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the new food pantry building for Englewood Helping Hand, Inc. (EHH). The new building is 2,500 square feet and has running water and a bathroom. The building, built by Hamsher Homes, has a garage door for taking in large deliveries and/or donations.  

The last two spaces that the food pantry occupied fell far short of areas where clients could be helped. In fact, during the last two years, and because of Covid, EHH used a drive- through method to get food to their clients.  

This new facility now has two modular offices that can be utilized by other agencies for services such as food stamp applications and rental assistance.  

In her opening remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 29, Englewood Helping Hand President Karen Harvey stated, “It takes a community to complete this new building.”  

The greater Englewood community has been very generous in support of this new building. Karen stated that large cash donations or in-kind services were given to the pantry to help build the beautiful new facility.  

The new building houses six new freezer/refrigerators. The pantry received many donations to help with the purchase of the equipment, including a sizable donation from the Lighthouse United Methodist Church of Boca Grande. 

Pantry volunteers said they feel truly blessed to be a part of this very generous community.  

Current pantry hours are Wednesday and Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can visit englewoodhelpinghand.org or send an email to info@englewoodhelpinghand.com or call at (941) 474-5864.