When we opened the doors to South Point Grocery in Silo Square, we were not just celebrating a new store in Southaven. We were committing ourselves to the community we are proud to be part of. In honor of our grand opening, we donated $5,000 to Heartland Hands Food Pantry, an organization that has quietly and consistently supported families across North Mississippi for more than twenty years.

Heartland Hands Food Pantry is a nonprofit dedicated to providing food to individuals and families whose incomes fall below the Mississippi poverty level. Based in Southaven, their work focuses primarily on serving residents of Southaven and Horn Lake, while also extending support to food pantries and nonprofit agencies throughout the state. What began as an emergency response to Hurricane Katrina has grown into a vital, ongoing resource for communities facing food insecurity.

Today, Heartland Hands provides food assistance to approximately 600 families each month in their immediate service area, representing more than 2,000 individuals. Beyond that, they supply food to 22 food pantries and 28 nonprofit agencies, helping organizations that serve survivors of domestic violence, individuals reentering society after incarceration, seniors, families facing medical crises, and many others. While it is difficult to calculate the full reach of their impact, a conservative estimate places that number at more than 20,000 people supported on a regular basis.

Food insecurity in Mississippi often goes unseen. While the state consistently ranks among the highest in the nation for hunger, the reality does not always match common assumptions. Families facing food insecurity are often working, caring for children or grandchildren, and doing everything they can to stay afloat. Sudden life changes such as a death, an arrest, an illness, or a job loss can quickly force impossible choices between paying rent and buying groceries. For seniors living on fixed incomes or grandparents unexpectedly raising grandchildren, those choices become even more painful.

Heartland Hands exists to meet those moments with dignity and care. Every box of food distributed represents stability, relief, and reassurance for families navigating difficult circumstances. Remarkably, the organization accomplishes all of this entirely through volunteers. There is no paid staff. Instead, 70 to 80 volunteers give their time week after week to sort, pack, and distribute food so essential nourishment reaches those who need it most.

Corporate and community partnerships are essential to making this work possible. Heartland Hands relies heavily on donations from local businesses, grocery stores, churches, and individuals. One of their greatest challenges is encouraging warehouses and distribution centers to donate excess or unsold products rather than discard them. The Memphis area is a major distribution hub, and many warehouses have perfectly usable items that will never be sold. Donating those products reduces waste, provides tax benefits for donors, and helps feed families across Mississippi.

This is where our mission at South Point Grocery aligns so closely with the work of Heartland Hands. Grocery stores are more than places to shop. They are part of the daily rhythm of a community. By investing in Heartland Hands from the very beginning, we are reinforcing our belief that community responsibility is foundational, not optional.

Heartland Hands receives no federal or state funding. Their ability to serve depends entirely on generosity, trust, and strong local partnerships. As Executive Director Connie often shares, the driving force behind the organization is recognizing the need for food and finding ways to meet that need, one family and one partnership at a time.

We are honored to support Heartland Hands Food Pantry and the essential role they play across North Mississippi. As South Point Grocery continues to grow in Southaven, we are committed to showing up for our neighbors, supporting organizations that strengthen our community, and keeping access to food, both inside our store and beyond, at the center of what we do.

For those interested in supporting Heartland Hands, volunteer opportunities are available every Tuesday and Thursday. Individuals or groups can learn more by calling 662-280-5365 or by visiting the pantry in Southaven.

Because when communities come together through service, generosity, and care, everyone is stronger.