Hannah Styles
hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com
We all dread pulling into the gas station and filling up our car with rising gas prices. In fact, I like to play a game where I see how long I can make it with the “low fuel” light on, (that’s not a good idea, please don’t try it).
Then, with inflation during the pandemic and continuing now at the grocery store, our wallets are feeling a bit lighter than they used to after our weekly grocery trip. As we grumble and complain about food and gas prices, some don’t even have a way to heat up or store food.
Kathleen Burns, founder of The Giving Spoon in Bryson City, provides hot, nutritious meals to the community and said demand for hot meals has not decreased since Covid restrictions have lessened.
“Our numbers of meals we are serving to the community have increased and haven’t gone back down after Covid. We are serving around 500 meals per night still,” Burns said.
About a year ago, The Giving Spoon received a grant helped them attain a delivery vehicle to get even more meals out into the county.
“Our delivery vehicle runs six routes, and it helps us be able to deliver to elderly and those who are homebound and might not be able to get out and get groceries,” Burns said. “We are proud to deliver in the community. Our drivers know who they deliver to and have a good relationship with those people, and they can check on them and make sure they are doing okay.”
Rising gas prices of course puts a burden on the organization, but Burns said that the delivery drivers donate their time and pay for their own gas, because of their love for the community and desire to help.
“We have very dedicated volunteers who are there, rain or shine to help.”
The Giving Spoon also offers inside eating and pickup/drive up services.
“It’s important to offer hot meals and food pick up that is non-perishable because the lack of affordable, adequate housing. Some people who are homeless or who live in homes with no electricity don’t have the ability to store their food in a refrigerator or heat the food properly,” Burns explained.
The organization’s food supply comes from partners with Manna Food Bank, Food Lion, Darnell Farms, and local donations and organizations. Burns said that Manna provides low or no cost food, but that recently their food stock has been getting less due to supply and demand and shortages after the pandemic.
“There are no qualifications required to pick up food, we don’t ask questions, we assume you are in need if you stop in for food,” Burns said.
Food pantry
The Giving Spoon partners with the Bryson City Food Pantry located at Bryson City Presbyterian Church. The food pantry is open Tuesdays 6 p.m.-8 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m.-noon.
“The food pantry has helped us a lot and Dan (Manley of the food pantry) is one of our cooks. We have a lot of people who support us, and we are very thankful,” Burns said.
The Giving Spoon provides hot meals on Mondays and Thursdays from 3pm-5:15pm at the Bryson City Presbyterian Church. For updates and menu visit The Giving Spoon on Facebook. Donations can be mailed to The Giving Spoon, PO Box 1783, Bryson City, NC 28713. You can also learn more about the food pantry by visiting: https://www.loc8nearme.com/north-carolina/bryson-city/bryson-city-presbyterian-church/6690432/