Good Thing We Have Brandy in the Pantry

“I’m not sure how I got the job, actually.  I got a call that asked if I could help with the pantry and here I am, thankfully so,” said Brandy Russell. Brandy and her husband, Michael, have lived at New Danville for almost five years.

The pantry, sometimes known as The General Store, provides food (perishable and non-perishable) and household items for free to New Danville residents.  Wednesday is “shopping day,” and Brandy is involved with loading inventory into the pantry on Tuesdays, as well as overseeing the distribution of items.

“I really like the chance to meet so many people,” Brandy said. “The Wranglers’ food stamps don’t cover as much as they did before with the current inflation and they cannot be used for household items,” she said.

“We’re adding items, which is good,” she said while gesturing to a store room in the pantry that has been converted to hold toilet paper, paper towels and other household essentials.

Joining the New Danville team about two months ago, she said the work is not the same as managing one’s own pantry. “I don’t think about putting on gloves before handling the items at home, but we are very cautious with everything we handle in the pantry.”

Eva Aguirre, president and CEO, said, “We are happy that Brandy has been able to help us out. She does a great job and the clients enjoy their shopping days with her.”

Everyone at New Danville agrees…it is good to have Brandy in the pantry.