New Groceries in Conway: A Heartfelt Community Initiative
Hey there, Conway! Have you heard about the latest loving initiative happening right in our community? There’s a special place called Shepherd’s Table that’s lighting up the lives of many families in need. Imagine walking into a cozy cafe, grabbing a warm meal, and feeling right at home—now imagine that feeling extending beyond just a single meal. That’s exactly what’s happening here!
Meeting Needs with a Smile
Brandon Oates, an inspiring figure in this initiative, has been busy navigating the pantry and picking out groceries. But here’s the twist! The groceries aren’t for him; they’re for others. Oates shared, “We are a handout to a lot of people, but our main focus is to be a hand up to people.” His role as the executive director of Shepherd’s Table revolves around serving “hope and comfort one meal at a time.”
Shepherd’s Table isn’t your typical soup kitchen. It follows a café-style approach, creating a place where people can come in, feel comfortable, and regain a sense of dignity. The goal has always been to help, but recently they took a significant step further by joining hands with the Lowcountry Food Bank. Now, they are proud to be the first nonprofit in South Carolina to provide free, healthy groceries after hours!
Grocery Shopping Made Easy
How does it all work? It’s super simple! With the help of the cool OrderAhead website, folks in need can browse and select exactly what groceries they want. “It just brings us up a list, and then we get started,” Oates explained, as he showed us the easy process. The free store officially launched this January, and the community has already felt the positive impact.
A Passionate Volunteer at the Helm
To make sure everything runs smoothly, Oates found an incredible volunteer, Becca Gaskins-Mejia, to supervise the pantry. Once a teacher, Gaskins-Mejia experienced a major change when she got hurt on the job. Yet, instead of sitting around, she decided to take action! “I said, ‘Lord, I got to do something. I just can’t sit at home’,” Gaskins-Mejia said, and that led her to this amazing role. Now, she’s been actively nourishing families for the past seven years and recently took on the role of pantry supervisor. Nothing gets her down as she spreads love through her work.
When you walk into the pantry, you won’t do it alone. Gaskins-Mejia makes sure a volunteer guides you, and they have what she calls a “cheat sheet” to help families based on their sizes. “People need to know that they are loved, they are wanted, they’re needed, and they’re not alone,” Gaskins-Mejia shared enthusiastically.
A Personal Journey of Redemption
Oates didn’t just wake up one day as the director of this wonderful nonprofit. He has a powerful story himself. As a combat veteran, he faced his fair share of struggles, including PTSD, addiction, and homelessness for almost three years. However, he turned his life around with the help of a mentor and now uses his past experiences to uplift others. “I decided from then on to dedicate my life to being a hand up to people,” Oates expressed, and it shows in everything he does.
With Oates holding a master’s degree in social work and a licensed social worker, he feels a strong sense of purpose. “It’s been a real blessing to be a part of, just to be a vessel for God,” he said with pride. It’s a beautiful reminder that we can all come together—even in challenging times—to support one another.
Let’s Stand Together
In Gaskins-Mejia’s words, “We got to stand together as a community and hold each other up.” Let’s embrace this spirit of unity and uplift one another as we continue to foster kindness and compassion within Conway. The next time you’re in need or just want to lend a hand, consider this remarkable initiative and the love it inspires around us. Together, we can make a huge difference—one grocery at a time!
