Food pantry reflects on 18 years of meeting community needs

“He has filled the hungry with good things”

Luke 1:53

“Am I in the right place?” “Is this where I can get food?” “We have nothing. Can you help?”

These questions are asked by people with desperation etched on their faces. Their safety nets are vanishing almost as fast as their options. They walk into the Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry caught in a hopeless situation, but when they walk back out, pushing a cart filled with food, there is a smile, a lighter step, and with an introduction to our pantry, a restored confidence. I have seen this hundreds of times in the Pantry’s 18 years, and every time it humbles me. “He has filled the hungry with good things.” This line from "Mary’s Magnificat" describes the holy moments that I have witnessed.

The Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry has been addressing food insecurity in the Tuscarawas Valley for 18 years with a singular determination; no one should ever have to worry about a lack of food for their table. We annually distribute more than 2.5 million pounds of food to 4,800 different families. We are open twice a week, 52 weeks a year. A person can come every time we are open.

The business community and foundations give us a strong footing. Brick and mortar. We will not crumble under the weight of 2.5 million pounds of food.

The church community, the community organizations, and the media gives us walls and floors and literally, a roof over our head. A place to gather and grow, and a network to share our message with the valley.

But the people, our neighbors, give us life. I picture them gathered around a table at church or a family reunion and deciding that they want to help. Volunteering their time and talents with a true compassion for helping others is the greatest gift of all.

So as we look forward to 2026, and continuing in our mission to provide for the hungry and food insecure, we want to say thank you. Your generous support is the only reason we can remain open. The mighty God is doing great things through you.

We wish you all a most blessed holiday season. Merry Christmas.

Bill Fritz

Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry

Dover