1294 Jack Dayton Circle
Young Harris, GA 30582
706-896-4783
townsco.foodpantry@gmail.com
The Towns County Food pantry is a ministry of the Towns County Cooperative Ministries. Its
purpose is to help county residents in need of food assistance. The Towns County Food Pantry is a
non-profit organization supported solely by area churches, businesses, groups, and individuals.
HOW TO RECEIVE FOOD
Drive-thru food distribution is held at the Food Pantry the 1 st and 3 rd Wednesdays of each month from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
We are open Monday thru Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed for lunch Noon to 1 p.m.) If you
are in need, please call or come to the pantry. You will not be turned away.
Towns County residents who are in need and qualify include seniors, underemployed, disabled,
veterans, unemployed, or any resident needing assistance. If you are homebound and in need,
please call us at 706-896-4783.
If you or someone you know could use a little extra help, please come by for food, friendly faces, and
no questions asked.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
* You must be a resident of Towns County
* Income must fall at or below the criteria indicated below:
* Receiving food does not affect social security, SNAP, unemployment, or any other
programs you may be participating in.
1 $2,610 $ 602
2 $3,526 $ 813
3 $4,440 $1,024
4 $5,358 $1,236
5 $6,274 $1,447
6 $7,190 $1,659
7 $8,108 $1,871
8 $9,024 $2,082
Each additional member
ADD $ 916 ADD $ 211
HOW TO DONATE
Towns County Food Pantry depends solely on donations from the community, making it a true
“Neighbors Helping Neighbors” project. Our partnership with the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
allows us to purchase food at $0.19 per pound, making financial donations highly valuable. However,
hygiene, pet food, cleaning supplies, etc. are not available through the Food Bank of Northeast
Georgia..
Our top donation needs from the community:
* Dish Soap, Hand soap, Laundry Detergent, Toilet Paper
* Coffee, Cooking Oil, Mustard, Ketchup
*Shampoo, toothpaste, Feminine Products
*Pet Food, dogs and cats
*Ensure, Boost, Nutritional Supplements
PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept donated items that are expired, not in original packaging, or
opened.
For monetary donations, please make checks payable to TOWNS COUNTY FOOD PANTRY.
Donations can be made in person (during business hours) or by mail to:
Towns County Food Pantry
1294 Jack Dayton Circle
Young Harris, Ga 30582
Towns County Food Pantry is a registered non-profit community organization maintaining 501(3)c
status. All donations are tax deductible.
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
With the exception of a small administrative staff, the Pantry is run through the generosity of our
volunteers. The Pantry offers wonderful opportunities to those who wish to give of themselves and
their time.to a worthy, community driven cause. Below are opportunities that may be available:
* Anytime during hours of operation we need people willing to organize, restock, check dates, etc.
* 1 st and 3 rd Mondays from 10 a.m.to 11 a.m. to stage and fill boxes for distribution
* 2 nd and 4 th Tuesdays to deliver food boxes to our homebound neighbors
* 1 st and 3 rd Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. are drive-thru distribution days
* Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. that school is in session, we participate in the Backpack
Program that sends food home with elementary children
WHO WE ARE
Towns County Food pantry was founded in 2008 by David Mullins and Jim Hicks following their
dream to help feed those families or individuals who, at that time, lack the resources to obtain it
alone. County Commissioner Bill Kendall, when approached on the project, brought Teresa
Stephens of Ninth Distract Opportunities to head up the project. It was organized as a mission under
the Towns County Cooperative Ministries. The office/warehouse, provided by the commissioner, was
established at its current location. Mrs. Stephens currently serves as the chair person of the food
pantry.
During the second half of 2008, with Laranda Mullins Mauldin and Richard Botting serving as
coordinators, the Pantry grew with more and more volunteers stepping up to handle the growing
demands of the community as the economy tumbled towards a depression, by receiving, sorting and
packaging food contributed by the community through churches, businesses, organizations, and
individuals. In January of 2009, the Pantry met the requirements of the Georgia Food Bank and
started purchasing food through the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia in Athens, Ga at an
approximate cost of $0.19 per pound. Thanks to the generous donations from the community, they
were able to purchase a little over 5,000 pounds on the first weekly distribution to 130 households,
feeding approximately 300 people.
The weekly demands grew to almost 400 households per week, to eventually purchasing and
distributing over 300,000 pounds of food to 13,200 households, feeding almost 30,000 people during
2009.
In 2025, the Pantry served: in December 2025 alone, we served:
* over 12,000 individuals * over 1,500 individuals
* over 40 tons of food * over 1,000 children
MISSION STATEMENT
By the grace of God, Towns County Food Pantry exists to assure that no citizens of Towns County go
hungry. To provide food for those in difficult circumstances and to serve those in need with dignity and
respect.
Hiawassee, Young Harris, Tate City
Towns County