Provision 88 is a food pantry serving the Jonesboro area. It’s also a place of hope, dignity, and choice for those in need. What began inside the Refuge Church of the Assemblies of God quickly outgrew its original space, where volunteers had to set up and break down the pantry each time it operated. Recognizing the growing demand, the church purchased a small building just behind their main building. Now, Provision 88 has a permanent home and room to expand its mission.
Once entering, a visitor is triaged in and assigned a certain number of items based on household size. They are able to grab a shopping cart and grab what is available for their homes with what is right for them and their family. This is one of many ways that the operation gives dignity and choice while decreasing waste and potentially discarded foods. They “meet people where they are” in the their personal situations, providing nourishing well-balanced food options and a hot meal from their fully functioning kitchen.
Provision 88 serves a wide range of neighbors, but more and more are senior citizens and single-parent families who rely on the pantry to help their households get through. Last month, over 800 families were served. The pantry is funded and stocked through a mix of community donations, contributions from major grocery stores and purchases from the NEA Food Bank. Together, this amounts to more than 400,000 pounds of food going to those in need, a staggering number for a small nonprofit with a monthly operating budget of only about $3,000.
Inside their new space, visitors find more than food. A clothing room and household goods section have been added to meet other everyday needs. The clothing is supplied through a partnership with Second Home, which works alongside Abilities Unlimited to sort through donations before sending them to Provision 88. Volunteers make sure the clothing is always seasonal and ready to use. Visitors also find emotional support with volunteers on hand to help them through trying times.
Despite the challenges, Provision 88 continues to meet needs with a healthy mix of love and efficiency. Currently, community donations cover about one-third of their total costs, with the rest funded through partnerships, the church and careful planning. Looking ahead, their long-term goal is to expand their hours so they can serve working families who need access outside of traditional business times.
Provision 88 is proof that even with limited resources, love, community, and determination can multiply into something extraordinary.
