Carpenter’s Cabinet President Chris Warnick and Colony Mayor Donnis Leeth, center, cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the town’s community food pantry at the Colony Educational Complex Wednesday. (W.C. Mann)
COLONY – On Wednesday morning, Colony Mayor Donnis Leeth and Carpenter’s Cabinet President Chris Warnick cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the town’s community food pantry at the Colony Educational Complex.
Carpenter’s Cabinet is an established faith-based ministry with pantries in Falkville and Holly Pond in partnership with the North Alabama Food Bank. As an affiliate, Colony is able to purchase food in bulk from the North Alabama Food Bank for only 14 cents per pound. The group is a 501(c)3 nonprofit; donations to the town’s pantry are tax-deductible.
Warnick told The Tribune, “The pantry project in Colony was a joint effort between the Town of Colony and the Carpenter’s Cabinet: they have the facilities and we have the know-how, and we’ve trained volunteers to make this happen. We anticipate helping about 300 people the first year. The Town of Colony’s really stood behind this project.”
Leeth smiled, “Today is a good day, y’all, for Colony, because of the pantry being open . . . One thing that makes it so great is that we’re going to be helping people all around this area; we’ve got like a 10-mile radius that we’re going to help. And also, it’s just amazing how people come together and help you at times like this, try to help other people.”
To receive food from the pantry, residents should apply at Colony Town Hall. Photo identification, proof of address and income required. Distribution of food will begin on the first Wednesday in November.
Cherrie Haney Community Development and Enhancement Award
During remarks before the ribbon cutting, Warnick announced that Colony Carpenter’s Cabinet had created a community improvement award in honor of Cherrie Haney and her efforts on behalf of the town.
Warnick told The Tribune, “Today we’ll be honoring Cherrie Haney for her service in the community development in Cullman County. And we’re excited that she’s been as good to Cullman County as she has and worked hard to get things in Cullman County.”
Haney has worked for Cullman County since 1990, for Cullman County Economic Development since 2005, and has been director of that agency since 2013. She is president of the local chapter of People Against a Littered State (PALS) and serves on committees of the North Alabama Agriplex and Farm City.
The Cherrie Haney Community Development and Enhancement Award will be awarded annually in amounts ranging from $100 to $250. In order to qualify, applicants must:
–be residents of or organizations based in Cullman County
–use the funds for a project that promotes community development or civic purposes in Cullman County
–be nominated by someone other than themselves
Applications can be submitted between Jan. 1 and Mar. 1 of each year and must contain a synopsis outlining details of the proposed project.
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