Text and photos by Peter Vankevich
Through the journey called life, one may have ups and downs — some health-related, feelings of the blues or financial challenges. Churches have been safe havens to seek solace and get help to bounce back.
The Life Saving Church on Lighthouse Road not only provides spiritual assistance but also administers the Bread of Life Food Pantry that provides free food and household supplies for those in need.
With the assistance of the Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Board and some grants, the pantry was built after Hurricane Matthew hit in 2016 and before Hurricane Dorian in 2019 devastated the island. Its shelves are filled with a variety of foods, paper goods and cleaning materials along with a couple of refrigerators and freezers.
These days, the pantry is operated by Pastor Tim Lynch and his wife Paris.
“We are here for the community,” Lynch said. “We serve everyone: elderly folks on fixed incomes and young families. There should be no stigma or embarrassment in seeking assistance. We look at it not as a handout but providing a hand up.”
The food is primarily provided by the Albemarle Food Bank which monthly drives a truck to the Hatteras ferry parking lot and the church sends a truck across the inlet to pick it up. All meats are delivered frozen and remain so in the pantry until distributed.
The Albemarle Food Bank can deliver only what is has and sometimes there are shortages of needed items.
A major supplement to the food and supplies came from John Connor. He cleared part of an adjacent lot he owns to create parking for those wishing to visit the Ocracoke lighthouse or Springer’s Point. While parking is free, there a donation box installed there benefits the food pantry.
“Johnny Connor is a saint. He should walk around with a halo around his head,” Lynch said, which is quite a compliment coming from a pastor. “This money has been a tremendous help in allowing us to purchase special food needs that Albemarle cannot provide such as Ensure for older folks.”
In addition to these two sources, individuals and groups send checks and will drop off food donations, often left on the porch. Because this is a food pantry, clothing items are better given to the Village Thrift Store.
On one recent day, there were a few 50-pound bags of sweet potatoes and onions, which is a quantity that the Albemarle Food Bank will provide with some vegetables.
“Sometimes we get so much that is perishable that we place bags on the pantry porch or send out informally a note to come get some,” said Lynch.
The Ocracoke United Methodist Church on School Road has another food support program, which delivers meals to peoples’ home during weekdays. Items available at the food pantry can be used for supplementing these deliveries. “We are partnering with them to share our food resources,” Lynch said.
This safe food pathway is confidential, though someone requesting assistance will have to fill out a brief form that is required by the Albemarle Food Bank.
Open hours are on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., but if that is not a convenient time, one can call the church 252-928-9001 for an appointment.
Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation can mail a check to Bread of Life Food Pantry, P.O. Box 68, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
