Amanda Reeves, of McDonough, said her late grandmother’s example helped to inspire her to reach out to others in need.
“She was the first person to share Jesus Christ with me,” said Reeves. “She taught me about how to love others as Christ loves us. She taught me about selfless love – to focus on others before ourselves.”
Reeves recently launched Millie’s Mini Pantry, on the premises of Studio 48 at 48 Griffin Street in McDonough. The free pantry is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and features free food and personal-care items.
“Just walk up, take what you need, and leave something if you can,” she said.
Reeves began developing the concept for the pantry last winter, after being awakened in the middle of the night with a desire to help people.
She revealed the pantry on November 7, naming it after her paternal grandmother, Mildred “Millie” Rawlins, who passed away in 1988.
“She became a widow at a very young age, and she was left with three children to raise on her own,” said Reeves. “She didn’t have a lot, and what she did have, she was always willing to give to others.”
Reeves is also the executive director for the Hands of Hope Clinic in Stockbridge. She and her husband, Jason, have two daughters – Jordan and Azlin.
Reeves said Millie’ Mini Pantry has enjoyed a good response from the community thus far. She is hopeful that it will lead to the launch of similar venues in the future.
“It’s been overwhelmingly positive, there have been so many people who have asked how they can help,” she said. “The goal is to have a whole network of pantries in various cities through sponsorships covering the cost of construction and installation.”
Donations are welcome at Millie’s Mini Pantry. For more information, e-mail milliesminipantry@gmail.com.
Additional food pantries are available for individuals and families at numerous churches and other locations in Henry County. McDonough food pantry locations include: MM Hope House, 466 Simpson St.; Love-Joy Food Bank at 2790 Ga. Highway 42 N.; Hands of Christ Food Pantry, 595 Macon St.; and Southern Crescent Resource Ministries, 112 Park West Drive.
Food pantries can also be found in Stockbridge, at Samaritans Together of Henry County, 65 Bellamy Place, and at Helping in his Name Food Pantry, 85 Bellamy Place. The Georgia Food & Resource Center, operates at 470 Steele Drive in Hampton, and Samaritan Outreach Ministries’ Lazaruz Ministry provides food from its facility at 99 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in Locust Grove.
Henry County VFW Post 12170 is also requesting donations of turkeys and hams for the food pantry to feed the needy. Donations will be accepted November 20 and 27 from 10 a.m., to 4 p.m., at CrossRoads Christian Church, 3545 Ga. Highway 42 N., in Stockbridge.
