What started in 1990 as a small food distribution from a closet in a church building has grown over the last 30+ years.

1990 marked the humble beginning of Community Care Food Pantry in Athens, Texas.  Eastern Hills church of Christ members Ferrell and Idell Davis began distributing donated food to needy church members from a closet in the building.  Food and money were donated by Eastern Hills members which led to purchasing food at local grocery stores.  Early on, these volunteers were able to help members needing assistance with utility and other bills, including rent for a few families.  They also donated a vehicle to a single mom in need.

In the mid-1990s, a generous donation paid to construct the current pantry building on College Street, behind the Eastern Hills building.  The focus of the pantry then turned solely to food distribution.  That decision generated an increase in clients needing assistance from all across Henderson County.  The pantry recognized staff was necessary and donors provided the ability to add staff who could also seek more funding for this ministry.  Various people served as leaders and more volunteers joined the ministry to assist.

In 1993, the Davis’ stepped aside and Gene McIntyre, recently-retired, began working with the pantry.  Under Gene’s leadership, the Community Care Food Pantry experienced exponential growth.  More volunteers joined the effort.  More monetary donations and more food than ever was donated to support the growth in clients coming to the pantry.  A large truck and refrigerated trailer were generously donated which allowed an alliance with the East Texas Food Bank in Tyler, Texas.  That partnership allows the pantry to buy food for pennies on the dollar to support and grow the pantry’s outreach.

In 2017, Becky Emerson became the Executive Director of the pantry.  The work that started in a single closet continues to grow today.  In 2024, the pantry served 6,134 families, consisting of 17,979 individuals.  Through June of, 2025, the pantry has served 2,959 households containing 8,300 individuals.  Volunteers distribute food every 1st and 3rd Tuesday mornings.  Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions often include turkeys and hams from generous donors who believe in this work. 

In 2021, the Community Care Food Pantry was incorporated as a Texas 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.  Emerson has worked tirelessly to seek donors and submit grant proposals to support what has become one of the largest pantries in East Texas.  The pantry is governed by a board of volunteer directors who, in addition to governance, are active volunteers in the pantry’s daily operations.