‘Love Thy Neighbor’

Food Pantry Manager Does His Part To Keep Locals From Going Hungry

James Shiver sees a need in the community and does his part to help fill it, managing the Mims Hill Church Food Pantry in Geneva County.

Every Wednesday and Friday, Shiver hands out groceries to those in need at the church his grandparents founded in 1964. The Mims Hill Church Food Pantry, which started about 6 years ago, gives out about 100 bags of groceries a month.

“Plus, I get calls 2 or 3 times a week from people needing groceries,” he says.

1 of Shiver’s biggest challenges is often convincing others that local people would go hungry without help from a food pantry — such as the woman trying to feed her 6 grandchildren who live with her or a widow who was evicted after her husband died.

“I guess it’s like the greatest commandment, love thy neighbor, basically,” Shiver says. “When I was growing up, people always helped me.”

Shiver cooks and serves soup twice a month during colder months and volunteers at food pantries in New Brockton and Ozark.

On the second Tuesday of each month, Shiver and other volunteers distribute groceries to those who pull through a car line at the Trinity Church parking lot across from the Geneva County Farm Center. The group has handed out groceries to as many as 308 people in 1 day, Shiver says. There are 1,100 people registered to receive food during the monthly event.

When the farm center parking lot became too crowded, Shiver says Trinity Church’s pastor didn’t hesitate to offer the church’s parking lot. Local high schools have even allowed students to volunteer.

“That’s what it’s about, everybody working together,” Shiver says. Shiver was recognized as a Silent Hero of the Wiregrass, a program that honors those whose efforts help make their community better. It is a partnership between WTVY and Wiregrass Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Foundation. Shiver received a $1,000 grant, money he put back into the food pantry.

The Mims Hill Church Food Pantry, located at the church on State Highway 85 in Geneva, is open on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call (334) 791-7663 for more information.

Shiver says the Wiregrass Area Food Bank makes it possible for him to provide the assistance he offers. “I couldn’t have done it without them furnishing the groceries,” Shiver says.