HOP helps church-based nonprofit support their community’s needs
Share Thy Bread has transformed from a modest operation—a single cupboard and 18 square feet in a church kitchen—into a thriving organization housed in a 2,100-square-foot building. What began as a donation-driven effort has grown into a consistent support system for nearly 70 HOP households per week in Polk and Rutherford counties, thanks to its partnership with the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP), which started in September 2022. This May, Share Thy Bread proudly celebrates its eleventh anniversary.
Executive Director Lorna Dever recalls integrating into HOP, saying, “The first six months were slow, but once people realized what we were doing, things took off. Our relationship with HOP helped us see how much more we could accomplish, and because of HOP and Impact Health, we were able to do it.”
Lorna’s expertise in cafeteria management led her to introduce a themed monthly menu to keep things engaging for clients. Each week features a different cuisine—American, Mexican, Asian, or Italian. She personally handles the weekly shopping, customizing food boxes based on clients’ needs and preferences. One young boy, for example, had taken on meal preparation for himself while his parents managed life with newborn triplets. Lorna made sure his family’s food box contained items he enjoyed and could easily prepare. The pantry also remains stocked with essentials like dairy products, deli meat, and a universally loved staple—chicken nuggets.
Beyond providing food, Share Thy Bread has made a profound difference in people’s lives. Treasurer Wanangwa Hartwell shared the story of
a family struggling with their SNAP benefits running out before the end of the month. Through HOP, they now receive weekly food boxes in addition to SNAP assistance, reducing the family’s food insecurity. This stability has even allowed the mother to pursue her dream of starting a nonprofit focused on disaster relief. Hartwell noted, “She was able to launch her business, in part, due to the connections she made through Share Thy Bread and other human services organizations in the wake of Hurricane Helene.”
Both Wanangwa and Lorna emphasize the vital role that sustainable funding from HOP has played in their success. “Traditional food pantry funding can be unpredictable, with donations fluctuating depending on the community,” Lorna explains. “Grants often don’t cover daily operations. Having services reimbursed creates a much-needed sense of financial security.”
The impact of Share Thy Bread extends far beyond food. From two young boys eagerly devouring fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from their food box to a formerly undernourished man living alone with severe mental illness—who has now gained 40 pounds and is engaged in ongoing hurricane recovery work—the organization continues to change lives.
“People constantly express their gratitude for what we do,” Lorna said. “I can’t even begin to count how many times we’ve heard it. We are deeply thankful to Impact Health and HOP for enabling us to serve our community in such a meaningful way.”
