HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) — Despite Sunday’s fire at a Hilliard food pantry warehouse, the group will be back up to serve the community this week.

The Hilliard Food Pantry announced it has been provided pop-up tents that will house regular hours of service for community members that use the food pantry. The tents will be set up in the front of the eastside parking lot of Life Community Church with the first day of service on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.

The schedule for the week includes:

  • Thursday, July 13: 5-8 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 15: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 18: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 19: 2-4 p.m.

The next goal is for the pantry to open a new temporary location on July 20 at Guide church.

The pantry’s executive director says it is important to her to be as quick as possible in getting food to people they help. “There’s true food insecurity and people kind of count on what we offer. And if you think about it, if you’re a person in poverty, you have to make choices and if you kind of count on this, then you’re able to put your funds towards your rent, which is very expensive these days and things like that,” Hilliard Food Pantry Plus Executive Director Erin West said.

The food pantry’s warehouse which is inside the Life Community Church burned on Sunday afternoon, causing significant damage and loss to all items inside. Witnesses reported seeing flames up to 30 feet in the air.

On the fire, West says it was probably something that combusted. There is significant damage on the church side of the warehouse, and smoke and water damage to the pantry. This means the pantry has to get rid of all the food – because the fire had some toxins in it.

However, community support is making the work easier. “We are receiving letters, we received a handwritten letter today, just talking about how important this has been and how grateful this gentleman was. People on social media are responding saying this is a great pantry. They’re sorry for our loss, and, you know, they’re willing to help as well. So, it’s just been amazing,” West said.

Asst. Chief Jake Wells with the Norwich Township Fire Department says their station will be taking up donations for the pantry. He also said the pantry serves up to 450 families a week.

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