Pearl River County will soon be able to help a local organization by purchasing a meal, a treat from a selection of baked goods and enter for a chance at a $400 gift card.
The Crossroads Distribution Center food pantry in Poplarville will host a fundraiser on Nov. 8.
Sharon Bonnecarrere, director of Crossroads Food Pantry, said the non-profit faith based organization receives no government funding. The food pantry serves 60 to 70 households, or 380 people, twice a month.
“This is the only fundraiser we hold all year,” Bonnecarrere said. “Besides this, we function through the blessings and donations from the community as well as volunteers.”
At the event, barbecue chicken plates will be on sale, along with raffle tickets for a chance to win multiple items, such as a $400 gift card to Sportsman Warehouse and a Montana West purse, Bonnecarrere said.
Raffle tickets can be purchased individually for $1 or 6 tickets can be purchased for $5.
Grilled chicken plates, which include two sides, a roll and a dessert, will cost $9, which will be directly donated to the food pantry. That amount of money per plate “can feed a family of two in need for two whole months,” Bonnecarrere said.
“After people go vote, they can come here, sit outside and enjoy a cold drink, eat an amazing lunch and share a great experience with fellow friends, family and other members of the community,” she said.
Along with supporting the local community, the fundraiser was set for Election Day for a reason.
“We know some people will have a stressful day of voting and this is a good way to just unwind after all that,” Bonnecarrere said.
The food pantry’s goal is to sell 200 plates so it can continue efforts to help those in need. Every Wednesday, the food pantry provides groceries to families in the areas of the Mississippi River, Ford’s Creek, White Sand and Henleyfield. However, Bonnecarrere said she hopes to find a way to keep the doors open to the community, and have a greater purpose than serving as a food pantry. Bonnecarrere said they provide other services such as health screenings and a recently added a family support group that meets every Thursday at 6 p.m.
“Because this is the only fundraiser we have all year, it means a lot to us,” Bonnecarrere said. “We all dedicate our time here at Crossroads to help those in need, so anything we can get is a huge help.”
Bonecarrere and the Crossroads volunteers would like to thank Byrd’s Chapel United Methodist Church and the lady’s Sunday School at New Henleyfield Southern Baptist Church for their support and contributions.
Crossroads will offer delivery to businesses that wish to buy plates during the fundraiser. Any business interested in ordering delivery must contact Bonnecarrere at (601) 799-3045 by Thursday.
Crossroads Food Pantry is located at 176 Old Crossroads West in Poplarville.