Impact Therapy opens food pantry and toy drive to support Warner Robins families

Referral Coordinator Sarah Walker says the pantry is open to anyone in the community who’s in need  

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A new resource is now available for families in need. The Impact Therapy Community Pantry and “Play It Forward” toy drive is officially open in Warner Robins, offering both food assistance and support services.

The community pantry provides food to families and individuals in need of staple items, while also offering counseling services for children. Receptionist Anna Beth says the pantry is part of an effort to support the local community and give back to those in need.

“All the items that are in our pantry and our toy box here are donated by employees, employees’ families, patient families,” she said. “Also, we’ve had other clinics in our area that have offered to help stock our pantry as well. And, just community, we’ve had people reach out and offer to donate items that are needed.”

Referral Coordinator Sarah Walker says the pantry is open to anyone in the community who’s in need.

“We just wanted to give everybody in the community somewhere they can come and get things they need at home for the children to be taken care of or themselves,” she said.

Beth explains that, in general, with the economy the way it is right now, there was a need to help supplement a little bit from paycheck to paycheck, or grocery store to grocery store.

“So, the pantry isn’t necessarily a place to come get all your groceries but, just a few items you might need and coming up short on, during the month or week, and that’s where the idea and the need came from,” Beth said.

Walker says the initial impact was to help families in need, but it’s brought the community together.

“We’ve had donations from Sensibilities, which is another speech clinic,” Walker said. “And also, Beyond Measures in Perry, and they are looking to donate some items as well. So, not only have we been able to help meet needs in the community, but we also brought the community together as a whole.”

The pantry is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located in a private, designated area separate from the main clinic, allowing people to access resources discreetly and respectfully.