Open Arms Ministry Food Pantry serves thousands annually

Food pantry makes all the difference for lots of Campbell County families

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- “Thank you. If not for your donation to Open Arms Ministry, some folks would not have meals,” said Lisa Wallace, a regular recipient of food each month from the food pantry. Wallace and her mother Gail Lowe drove through the receiving line Tuesday morning to get supplies they say will help them have meals through the end of the month.

“Our disability income arrives the first of the month, and the food from Open Arms guarantees me meals after my money’s run out,” said Lowe. The mother and daughter live in separate homes in La Follette and have counted on food from Open Arms Ministry Food Pantry for about eight years.

“It’s a milk and eggs day, and we’re thankful for that,” said Terri Phillips, longtime volunteer at Open Arms Ministry Food Pantry. Tuesday was a day when clients of the pantry were getting milk and eggs with their other food.

The signs of the time hit the food pantry hard. Donations are down. Need is up. “We take all donations. They are critical to the pantry’s existence; we depend on them. Cash allows us to buy in bulk, and food donations, too, of unopened, in-date items,” said Phillips. To donate, call 423.566.6723, or stop by and see the operation in action, on Mondays and Tuesdays. The food pantry is on Stone Mill Road at McGhee Lane, across from the National Guard Armory.

“We took in a new client Monday. The wife came in after her husband was furloughed from his government job,” said Phillips.

“We see so many people struggling with their rent, their car and are in need of food. Folks come in on bicycles and motorcycles, they even walk here. A young man works up the road from here, and he walks in on his lunch break to pick up his supply of food,” said Phillips.

“The staff here is so very nice, and they really care and is so helpful. They’ve put food on my table plenty of times,” said Wallace. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/15/2025-6AM)