Expanding Lydia’s Pantry: Serving Our Neighbors with Dignity

Galilee Volunteers: left to right: Nelda Leon, Helen Godwin, and Beverly Pope

At Galilee, feeding our neighbors in need is one of our foundational ministries. In early 2023, Galilee’s emergency food pantry, now called Lydia’s Pantry, opened through the prayerful work and discernment of the Becoming Beloved Community group. This group came together in 2022 and is comprised of members of different Episcopal congregations in Charlotte.

For the past couple of years, Lydia’s Pantry has remained steadily stocked through donations received from individuals and from congregations around Charlotte. Galilee also hosts an active Nourish Up pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lydia’s Pantry and the Nourish Up pantry work in tandem – if someone receives emergency food from Lydia’s Pantry, we make sure that they are registered in the Nourish Up system.

In 2025, one of Galilee’s main areas of ministry is expanding Lydia’s Pantry. That entails moving the pantry to a larger, dedicated space and increasing offerings to include household and dignity products in addition to shelf stable food. 

Please let us know if you’re interested in volunteering in Lydia’s Pantry. Days and hours of operation will be:

• Tuesdays from 3 pm - 4 pm

• Wednesdays from 11 am - 1 pm

• Thursdays from 12 pm - 2 pm

Contact Emily Parker at EDGalileeEast@gmail.com for more information.