The Hancock County Food Pantry has 25 years of service to the residents of Hancock County. This Thursday, May 5th, at 3 p.m. on its Hwy. 603, Bay St. Louis location. The public is invited to attend. Frank R. Machester, executive director of the Food Pantry, said several original volunteers will be on hand for the celebration.      

In May 1986, the Hancock Food Pantry opened its doors at the Civil Defense Office on Old Spanish Trail, Bay St. Loius. It later moved to the old jail, then to the Civil Defense Office on Ulman Avenue, and after Katrina, was relocated to a facility owned by Hope Haven in Waveland.  

On February 2, 2009, the Pantry moved into its new building on Highway 603, Bay St. Louis.  Leontine C. DeRocha and Inna Piazza were the chief administrators and were among the people who pushed for the formation of such an organization for the county. The Food Pantry is operated by volunteers from the county’s churches and Retired Senior Volunteer Program.   

The primary purpose of the Food Pantry was to feed people of Hancock County in an emergency situation, such as from the interruption of someone’s income through loss of job, fire, disruption in the home, illness, or other valid reasons. After 25 years of operating with an entirely volunteer staff, the Hancock County Food Pantry has provided food to over 175,000 Hancock County residents. Manchester said the Food Pantry’s anniversary request is to “fill us to the rafters with canned goods for the needy. We are asking for food drives and creative donations from our community. Of course, cash goes a long way with our purchasing power.”   ​