- Sunshine Pantries combats food insecurity by filling colorful pantries across the city with the support of volunteers and partners.
- They plan to expand their mission to meet more needs in northwest Tallahassee, where they are based, and beyond.
- Watch the video to learn what this goal looks like and how you can support it.
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MISSION:
A nonprofit is filling food pantries to feed stomachs across the city. Find out why the boxes are so important to their mission to combat food insecurity in our neighborhoods.
“It all started right here in this yard,” said Alan Tatum, describing where his journey from homelessness to permanent housing began.
“Ashley came by that morning, and even though she had four kids to take care of, she started making phone calls for me,” Tatum said.
These calls were made by Ashley Pugh. She got the ball rolling to gain Alan’s support.
“If I need something, I tell them, where it’s coming from, I don’t know, I’m just grateful it’s coming,” Tatum said.
Ashley Pugh and her husband Nathan are the co-founders of Sunshine Pantries.
Colorful boxes are distributed throughout the city, which they fill with food together with volunteers and partner organizations.
“Pantries typically run out within one to two hours of being restocked, so demand is already higher than ever,” said Nathan Pugh.
They face daily problems such as food shortages and a lack of transportation in northwest Tallahassee.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 50% of neighbors in zip code 32304 live in poverty.
“Pantries give us an opportunity to meet people, make friends with them and then see what else we can do besides eating,” Pugh said.
“It’s a gift to be able to help people in this way when I have something they are missing that is holding them back from taking the next step or even from accessing the food we need to survive,” said Ashley Pugh.
They plan to expand their mission by converting these pantries into a brick-and-mortar grocery store.
“You can look at an apple and decide if you want this one or that one,” Pugh said. “I think everyone should have that dignified shopping experience.”
Until then, Nathan and Ashley hope that their neighbors will help fill the pantries if possible.
Donations can be made to the food pantries at any time.
Pantry locations include Gibbs Drive, Macomb Street and W. 8th Ave.
