About The Bridge Food Pantry

Pantry Startup

The Bridge Food Pantry was established in January 2014 after Jim and DaNette Kidd realized the great need in our community. The first Pantry day for the public was Saturday, October 11, 2014 (the second Saturday of the month). In the beginning, the pantry served less than twenty (20) families per month. The pantry started out in two or three small rooms in the basement of the church.

Growth

The Bridge Food Pantry has grown to helping approximately one hundred (100) families per month. As of 2024, the average distribution is between four thousand (4,000) and six thousand (6,000) pounds of commodities per month. The Bridge Food Pantry assists an average of two hundred and fifty (250) to three hundred and fifty (350) people per month. The pantry has now expanded to all but one room in the basement of the church and has plans to convert that room as well.

What are the TEFAP guidelines in Indiana?

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Effective July 1, 2025

View the TEFAP website here.

Click on the image for a larger view (will open in a new tab in Google Drive).

Goals and Objectives

Our long-term goals include: increasing the number of days we are open per month, and adding an onsite warehouse facility used for cold and dry storage and distribution of food items and other commodities. This growth would allow us to serve hundreds of more people in the future.

Our objective is to serve as many qualified families and individuals on a first-come-first-serve basis with food and other commodities, based on the Indiana TEFAP guidelines set forth on the IN.gov website. We aim to assist the aged and underfed community in Jasper County and any qualified Indiana resident.

Volunteers

The Bridge Food Pantry has about thirty (30) people volunteering in different areas of the pantry monthly.

Budget

We average about $300.00 - $500.00 per month in monetary donations. These donations are used to purchase our meat and other special items. We have received thousands of pounds of food items and other commodities for free through the Humanitarian Distribution Center, Food Finders, several local retailers, and personal donations. We are also beginning grant proposals for expansion projects.

Evaluation

The directors monitor the guidelines for the pantry. Food Finders also helps with necessary procedures and the implementation of TEFAP guidelines to maintain proper presence and standing with all parties involved. Food Finders also provides inspections, paperwork, and commodity networking.

Pantry 1 - How it started