Through the store’s donation bag initiative, customers were invited to purchase pre-selected grocery bags valued at $5, $10 or $15 to help stock the local pantry shelves. What started as a company-wide giving campaign quickly turned into something much bigger for the Navarre community.
Store Manager Brian Bernardo said the program was designed to allow each store to support organizations directly within their own community.
“We are a grocery store – how do we give back? Food was the easiest answer,” Bernardo said. “What made it exciting was involving the cashiers and letting them really take ownership of it.”
That excitement spread quickly throughout the store. Employees turned fundraising into a friendly competition, encouraging customers at checkout to help local families in need. The result was nearly $4,800 worth of groceries raised in just a matter of weeks, placing the Navarre location among the top-performing stores in the company for donation bag sales.
One employee who stood out during the campaign was cashier Joyce Bothwick, who personally raised nearly $2,000 while working part-time.
“I couldn’t believe how generous people were,” Bothwick said. “Some people would donate multiple bags at a time. The people in this town are just really, really good.”
For Bothwick, the fundraiser became deeply personal because she understands firsthand what it means to need help.
“I’ve been there before,” she shared. “I know how important food pantries are, especially for military families and people struggling right now. I’m glad I’m in a position now where I can help others.”
Customers responded enthusiastically, often donating even before being asked. Bothwick said many shoppers recognized the importance of helping local families and wanted to be part of something meaningful.
At the receiving end of those donations is the Lindy Bush Food Pantry, which continues to see growing demand throughout the community. According to Pastor David Morris, the pantry and related outreach ministries are serving more people than ever before.
“We don’t have a huge pantry, but we give out a lot,” Morris said. “Between the pantry and our backpack ministry that sends food home with children every weekend during the school year, the needs continue to grow.”
Morris said the donations help the church continue its mission of caring for the community beyond just providing meals.
“We get to watch a miracle happen every day,” he said. “It’s amazing to see a community come together and care about each other.”
The Lindy Bush Food Pantry and Good Neighbor Thrift Store continue to serve as important outreach ministries for Navarre United Methodist Church, offering food assistance, support programs and connections to additional resources for local families.
And thanks to the generosity of shoppers, cashiers and community members alike, more families in Navarre will have food on the table when they need it most.
Lindy Bush Food Pantry and Good Neighbor Thrift Store
9025 Navarre Parkway
Store/Donation Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat.: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.