Seeing a need, Red Legacy is looking to do its part to help.
Red Legacy Recovery will host a food drive next week to help bolster their supply of food for their emergency food pantry.
“People come through our doors daily with needs and many times, it is food,” Red Legacy Executive Director Carolyn Shrader said. “We will be having a sale in our thrift store. If you bring in a bag of nonperishable food, we will give you a bag to fill with the clothing of your choice in exchange.”
The recovery center and thrift store are nestled by on Elk Avenue near the monument and Carter County Courthouse.
The food exchange will start during the week of April 20 with the thrift stores house set for Monday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday 12 to 4 p.m.
“We knew we needed to help our community in this area after so many people came to use in need of food,” Shrader said. “There are just people who are homeless or addicted. These are families suffering because of job loss, some families who work minimum wage jobs and just can’t make ends meet at times.
“We have agencies and churches that distribute food,” she added. “But we don’t have many options to help those in emergency situations.”
The goal of the pantry will be to be available Monday through Friday at their recovery center.
Wanting to expand assistance has been the name of the game in 2017, Shrader said, and an emergency pantry is just the tip of the iceberg.
“Red Legacy wants to help our community any way we can,” she added. “We are a recovery center, but homelessness, hunger, domestic violence and other things are all intertwined. We want to grow our services so we can support our community. We want to help reduce addiction, homelessness, domestic violence and crime. We have a great community and we just want to do our part.”
For more information, visit redlegacyrecovery.com, call (423) 297-1230 or stop by their office. Members of the public are also encouraged to donate any nonperishable items, if possible, after the drive as well.