Grocery Assistance Program

Provided by The Servant Center, Inc. in conjunction
with Glenwood Presbyterian Church

Meet a typical GAP Partner:

Mrs. A is a retired woman who struggles to make ends meet on her Social Security monthly payment.  Residing in public housing and crippled with severe arthritis, Mrs. A has no car and very little access to public transportation.  Her monthly grocery bag from the Grocery Assistance Program allows her to stretch her income and it also provides regular contact with the GAP team and staff of the Servant Center.

Hear what the GAP partners say about the GAP:

"I don't know how I could make it without neighbors and good people like you" - Mrs. S

"I always enjoy getting my food bag -- it's like getting a Christmas present once a month." - Mrs. P

"This program is just what I need." - Mrs. L

"The servants of the Lord gave them (bread and fish) to the crowds.  And they all ate and were satisfied." - Matt. 14:19-20

GAP is assisting people with emergency situations with food.  Those who need to have the Gap filled for various reasons - temporary unemployment, crisis times, not enough income, etc.

What does the Grocery Assistance Program do?

The Grocery Assistance Program (formerly the Food Bag Program) offers low-income senior citizens and disabled people a brown-paper bag filled with groceries to help extend their income to cover all the necessities.  There is no charge to GAP partners for this grocery bag.

The bag is filled with a wide variety of nutritious food, paper products, and cleaning supplies.  The contents are carefully selected to complement the Food Stamp program.

A sample bag might include:  1 can of tomato soup, 1 can of fruit, 1 can of green beans, 1 bag of pinto beans, 1 can of beef stew, 1 container of oatmeal, 1 roll of paper towels, 2 rolls of toilet paper, 1 box of laundry detergent, 6 vegetables or oranges, 1 loaf of bread and favors (a small gift or cards).

The grocery bags are usually available on the third Tuesday of each month.  The bags are either picked up at the Servant Center in Greensboro or are delivered throughout the area by GAP team members.

How can YOU help?

There are several ways you can help support this important outreach to your community.

Become a GAP Team Member - one morning or afternoon a month work in the pantry or help bag and deliver groceries (usually the third Tuesday of the month) to GAP Partners.  Teams of two deliver to places on established routes throughout Greensboro.  Team members are encouraged to visit briefly with each GAP Partner.

Another way to help us is to sponsor part of a grocery bag.  Whether personally, with friends, church, or civic groups, one or more items can be collected for inclusion in an upcoming delivery.  Groups are encouraged to sponsor a month to include a favor in the bags -- small gifts, cards, special items, health products, paper products, etc.

Donations may be made to The Servant Center - please designate for the GAP.

Sign up as a Bi-Lo Booster - call 1-877-426-6783 and use your 12 digit card number, last name and our number - 6713.  Every time you shop and use your card a portion of your purchase will be credited to the GAP.

Collect brown paper grocery bags for the GAP delivery and emergency pantry.

The Servant Center, Inc.
1312 Lexington Avenue
Greensboro, NC  27403-3507

The Servant Center, Inc. is a non-profit, community faith-based organization whose mission is to provide assistance, support, and direction to the homeless, disabled, and elderly poor in the Greater Greensboro area.

The Servant Center is supported by grants from governments, foundations, and by contributions from individuals, churches, and corporations.

Its many programs include:

1. The Servant House - a residential facility for formerly homeless men with serious medical problems.
2. St. Stephen's House - a residential facility for men needing hope and encouragement to be back in society and the work force.
3. Assisting people for applying for Disability Benefits, a program sponsored by Moses H. Cone Health System.
4. Grocery Assistance Program - GAP provides grocery assistance to the elderly, disabled, and those with emergency situations with food.

Jane Y. Carlson, GAP Coordinator
336-275-8585