The Golden Corner Food Pantry is the largest food pantry in Oconee County, serving approximately 1,100 low-income and disadvantaged households each month with emergency and supplemental food. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we work closely with local churches, civic organizations and other charities in the County to identify and include needy families. More than 250 volunteers carry out various parts of the operation– they meet with clients; collect donated food; unload, sort, store and package the food for distribution each Monday through Friday and the first Saturday of every month. Depending on availability, a typical distribution includes a balanced mixture of canned food and staples, fresh breads and pastries, fruits and vegetables, frozen meats, milk and eggs. The food comes from local donations (grocery stores, food drives), or is purchased with donated funds, primarily through Bargain Foods and our Food Bank (Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina).
We distribute about 1.5 million pounds of food annually, to families with children, senior citizens and disabled people living on fixed incomes, and individuals in need of temporary or ongoing assistance. All distribution is based on need, tied to federal poverty guidelines, and verified periodically. Clients can come once a month and typically receive one to two weeks’ worth of food. At our facility in Seneca, food is distributed using a “Client Choice Shopping” model. One area of our facility is set up as a grocery store, and volunteers help clients choose the foods that best meet their dietary needs and preferences, following guidelines determined by household size. If clients are not able to shop due to physical limitations, we are happy to package their food food for them, but the vast majority of our clients choose to select their own groceries.
We also operate mobile food pantries in four towns outside of Seneca– Westminster, Salem, Mountain Rest and Long Creek. Residents of these outlying parts of Oconee County who need food assistance but have transportation problems can meet our refrigerated truck on one Saturday each month and receive a pre-packaged cart of food. Mobile pantry clients meet the same eligibility requirements as clients who come to Seneca, and they receive approximately the same amount and variety of non-perishable and fresh food they would receive if they came to the Seneca facility.
Some clients do visit the Pantry every month, but many come only for a few months until they get back on their feet. Others just come a few times a year when they run into shortages or financial issues and need help feeding their family. Whether they are seniors, single mothers, or families; or regular or occasional clients; one thing is the same: People tell us they couldn’t make it without the help they get from the Golden Corner Food Pantry.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide emergency and supplemental food to disadvantaged and low income residents of Oconee County. We provide food for temporary relief until people can get back on their feet (emergency) or food for those who can’t quite make ends meet and need occasional help in getting by (supplemental). Clients qualify for our service if their gross household income is less than 150% of the Federal poverty level, or if they are unemployed or disabled.