Feeding the Hungry Their Daily Bread

Robin Harris knows the look of someone who is hungry. She sees it weekly at in Kennesaw.

Harris is the volunteer director of the pantry, which is housed at on Cherokee Street and on Ben King Road. Along with 20 volunteers, Harris feeds about 150 families with food donated through private funds and corporate food donations.

"I am able to give back because I once received," said Harris.

Due to economic hardships within her own family, she was the recipient of food pantry assistance at one time. A job loss kept her family's income low amidst ongoing bills. Fortunately, Harris said, her family was able to "right the ship" and get back on their feet.

Three years ago, she heard that the same pantry that helped her was closing because of financial problems.

"I always felt a calling from the Lord to work in a food pantry," Harris said.  "We have grown to do much more than just feed people twice a month."

The six-year-old pantry is open the first and third Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. 

The pantry gives holiday assistance to families at both Thanksgiving and Christmas, filling a sack with a hen, pototoes, fresh fruit and various side dishes.

During their annual Christmas Gala, they sponsor a toy giveaway where parents can choose new or used toys for their kids, and, in turn, children can choose gifts for their parents. A pancake breakfast is also given by Our Daily Bread on the first Saturday of December.

Harris and her husband, Danny, have an 11-year-old daughter, Rachel. She credits their home church, Kennesaw United Methodist, with really "coming through" with 20 volunteers who gather monthly to shop, sort and bag groceries and donations. Food donations also come from the Publix at Baker Road and the Starbucks on Cherokee Street, said Harris.

Harris says they see the elderly, the disabled and young single mothers come through the doors. But she's now starting to see others who have hit hard economic times.

"It's middle-aged people who have lost their jobs, their homes, and can't feed their families," Harris said. 

She credits the program's success to Donna Mathews. 

"She's my right-hand woman and a great volunteer who manages our bagging and inventory," said Harris.  and the have also partnered recently with the food bank.

For more information on Our Daily Bread or to bring donations or volunteer, contact Robin Harris at Kennesaw United Methodist Church at 770-428-1543.