Food Pantry
East Stokes Outreach Ministry is a 501(c) (3) non-profit food pantry and thrift store.
The food pantry operates two-and-a-half hours a day, five days a week and serves residents who live on the eastern side of Stokes County and find themselves in a crisis situation. Those eligible may receive food assistance six times per year, 30 days apart. Seniors citizens or permanently disabled residents living on a fixed income, may receive assistance monthly.
East Stokes Outreach Ministry also offers assistance with clothes, electric and water bills, fuel, oil and medicine when funding permits. The ministry works closely with Stokes County’s Department of Social Services and King Outreach Ministry to stay connected in a local database.
In 2018, through contributions from the thrift store, churches, area civic organizations and faithful supporters, East Stokes Outreach Ministry helped 4,020 families with food and nearly 11,000 individuals.
For more information about East Stokes Outreach Ministry, please contact Executive Director Amanda Dodson at 336-591-3237.
Thrift Store
East Stokes Outreach Thrift Store is located on the same property as the food pantry and operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until noon, Saturday, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Thursday afternoon 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. All donated items are sold and the profit fully supports the food pantry. Through donations, the ministry is able to provide free clothing from the thrift store to clients in need.
The thrift store offers a wide variety of items which include clothes, shoes, household and kitchen items, furniture, electronics, art, books and much more. It accepts donations during hours of operation.
For additional information about the thrift store, please contact store manager Mary Brown at 336-591-3238.
All proceeds from East Stokes Outreach Thrift Store benefit its food pantry.
History
East Stokes Outreach opened its doors in August of 1989. The non-profit was established on Highway 311 with the goal of helping those in need of food and clothing throughout eastern Stokes County. It eventually moved to a nearby renovated sock factory at 301 W. 3rd Street. The ministry rented the building at $1 a year before purchasing it outright for $20,000.
In May of 2012, the food pantry was torn down and offices were temporarily moved to Family Pharmacy on Main Street due to structural issues. A capital campaign ensued and on September 29, 2014 a ribbon cutting was held for the new food pantry, located on the same property as the thrift store.