Serving the Springs: The Oliver Springs Community Ministry Food Pantry

Photo Credits: Nicole Gann

When one thinks of hunger, many individuals’ minds drift to desolate, underserved third-world countries. However, the problem is not just isolated to these areas. Even in the small hamlet of Oliver Springs, nestled in the mountains of the Cumberlands in the greater Appalachian region, hunger holds many members of its community in its vicious grip. The disheartening reality of systemic poverty and underrepresentation is ever-so profuse in this area. According to Feeding America in 2020, just in Roane County alone, there was a 13.4% food insecurity rate. That’s over 7,000 of our neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and friends. In spite of these barriers, an institution in our town is working tirelessly to address this

problem. Housed in an unassuming strip mall, The Oliver Springs Community Ministry Food Pantry has been serving the Oliver Springs area for over three decades, established when a group of churches in the community created a joint food pantry for the area. To this day it is still supported primarily by the churches of Oliver Springs, no matter the denomination or congregation size. The pantry operates in a grocery store style: the volunteers go through the shelves bagging the donated goods and placing them in shopping carts. They then distribute the items to cars that pull up to the front of their building (after patrons are checked in by one of the administrators).

Jaime Zeigler and Mary Hall are the two determined women at the helm of this operation. Both joined around the same time approximately 5 years ago. “The director had resigned that meeting [the first they had attended for the pantry],” says Zeigler. “So a couple weeks later… they were still looking for somebody… so I had prayed about it and I told them I would take it over as a temporary position and then if I decided I liked it, I’d stay.” She has been administrator ever since, with Hall as her assistant. “I think [the pantry is] a wonderful ministry to our community. The fact that you have so many different churches, even different denominations, that come together to serve the community in one way or the other: some churches give money, some churches work, some churches do both. It’s just an amazing statement of our community and how they really want to take care of people.”

An interior shot of the Oliver Springs Community Ministry Food Pantry. (Photo Credit: Nicole Gann)

As highlighted in our previous September edition, the Oliver Springs High School Student Council is hosting a food drive to benefit the OSCMFP. It is a reverse advent calendar: an item is donated each day counting up to Halloween. It is both a competition between the classes, as well as a school-wide competition with Coalfield High School. The winner of the Coalfield/Oliver Springs battle was announced at the Coalfield vs Oliver Springs football game October 21st, with Coalfield as the victors. The ongoing class battle winner will be announced on Halloween. This drive is not only beneficial, it is extremely appreciated by the organization. “I was just blown away when you texted me and told me that you guys were going to head this up,” says Zeigler when asked about the drive. “It’s amazing to me.”