East Lawn Food Pantry

East Lawn Food Pantry is an outreach ministry in our community dedicated to improving the lives of those who are experiencing food insecurity by providing food, caring and kindness.

East Lawn Food Pantry is an outreach ministry of Kearney First United Methodist Church's mission committee. The program began in June of 2011 in conjunction with other ministries in the mobile home park. The food pantry was the brainchild of Wayne Olson. Wayne asked grocery stores to donate the food that they would have otherwise disposed of, and this is how the pantry began. Volunteers pick up food several days a week. The original facility has been replaced due to the growth in our ministry and is maintained by volunteers from the church and community. We are an all-volunteer organization. The new facility is accessible to those with mobility challenges and volunteers assist the mobility challenged by carrying their food bags to their vehicles if needed. We presently provide food for 250 to 300 families every week.

The East Lawn Food Pantry is open to those in the Kearney community and surrounding area who are facing food insecurity. Pantry hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.

Testimonials  

I have been attending the pantry for one year. It has helped me in so many ways. The staff treats us with respect. It is very organized. I am living on my own (I’m 71) for the first time. The food pantry is much more than the big help they provide with groceries but for the amazing people I have met and how the staff shows no judgement and much respect. Thank you!

Everything has gotten so expensive. I live on a fixed income – SSDI. I started coming here because I was having a hard time getting my bills paid and buying groceries. This pantry has been a lifeline for me. Thank you so much! The staff here has always been very friendly and helpful. I really like the way it is set up. It’s like a little grocery store. I like that I get to choose what I want or don’t want. I don’t have to just accept a box. I enjoy the devotion and prayer just before they open. Without this pantry, I would not be able to have groceries as I can no longer afford it. I’ve made some very good friends here. It makes me feel like I’m not alone. Thank you to all the staff for all you do. For making my life a little easier. May God Bless you all.

I have been coming to the pantry for ten years. The pantry is an amazing thing. Food is so expensive and I enjoy the meat options, eggs, milk, and fresh salads and fruits. 

The pantry has helped me save on groceries. I always love how they are happy to help us and greet us with a smile. I love that the pantry has a large variety of stuff. The volunteers are always nice. I like all the food. I love all the people, very nice. I have been attending for ten years.

The Methodist Church in Eastlawn provided unwavering support during one of the most difficult seasons of my life. Suddenly, I became a newly single mother. There was no judgement, no cost and no shame; just love and help. They care deeply for people in need and I feel privileged to have them in my life today. My life has been chaotic, painful and uncertain, but, in the middle of it all, I found support through the Methodist Church. The food pantry helped us more than I ever expected. It wasn’t just about groceries; it gave us stability when money was tight and stress was high. It gave me breathing room so I could focus on my kids’ progress, my new job, and my own healing. It helped keep our household steady during a time when everything felt like it was falling apart. I learned how hard it is to keep a home functioning during trauma, but with the support of the church and pantry, I did not just keep it going; I improved it. My kids had a safe place to heal. I found work quickly. I built a support network. I didn’t let the chaos define our future. I am grateful. Today, my family is living life in a way that feels close to how things were before I become a single mom. The Methodist Church helped make that possible and I thank God for the support we received. Thank you very much! 

We have been coming to the food pantry for many years. The food pantry has really helped us out a lot. Our Social Security doesn’t go as far as it used to. We like everything about the pantry. It’s very clean. I love going to the pantry, the people have a smile, they talk to you, know them by names and I may give them a hug if I have not seen them for a while. I can’t complain about the help. They are great in my book. I like all of the food they offer. What we like most is saying the Our Father and reading the verse out of the book (devotional). Thanking the Lord for what he has given us. It makes us feel loved and like they want us to come back as a family. Thank you for what you do for all of us. Amen.