Orange Grove Public Library offering food pantry to help food insecurity
GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)- The Orange Grove Public Library is giving back in a big way this holiday season.
As the holiday season rolls in, the library is proving it’s more than just a place for books, it’s becoming a place for giving.
A brand-new food pantry is now tucked inside the Orange Grove Public Library this holiday season. Sarah Crisley Ruskey, director of the Harrison County Library System, says the idea came from a patron who cared. “So, Ms. Carrissa Corbett, who is a patron of the Orange Grove Library system, was using the library and she spoke to one of my staff about wanting to start a food pantry because she perceived there was a need, especially in this area because there are more services downtown or closer to that area and they got in touch with me.”
Ruskey says the library had the space, and the heart, to help bring the pantry to life, giving people the opportunity to take what they need without having to ask.
The woman behind that mission is Carrissa Corbett, CEO and founder of Memorable Moments Outreach. “Well, you know, right now there’s limited resources and people are in need right now. You know, things are so high and, and I just felt like there was a need for our community, food insecurities. All of those things we’re trying to make sure we’re fighting.”
Corbett rallied her community, right down to her line-dancing class, to help stock the shelves.
She’s inviting the entire community to be part of it, whether that’s taking items or donating them.
Even local businesses joined in, including builder Andries Butler. He says the pantry’s impact may be immeasurable, but the purpose is simple, community taking care of community.
