A cornerstone of hope for our community.
Cornerstone FOCCUS Food Pantry shares the love of Christ by nourishing our neighbors with nutritious food, promoting health and education, and connecting families with resources that strengthen lives. Through compassion, dignity, and community partnerships, we are committed to facing our community's challenges until successful.
Rooted in faith, growing in service
Cornerstone FOCCUS Food Pantry began as an outreach ministry of The Cornerstone of Deliverance Church, founded by Pastor Patricia Shelton and the late Bishop James E. Shelton. Inspired by their Christian faith and a desire to serve others, they recognized that many families in our community were struggling to meet one of life's most basic needs—access to nutritious food.
What started as a small ministry of compassion has grown into a community-wide resource serving individuals and families throughout Lunenburg County and neighboring communities in Southside Virginia. Guided by the belief that every person should be treated with dignity, respect, and love, the pantry has expanded its services to meet the changing needs of our neighbors.
Today, Cornerstone FOCCUS Food Pantry operates as a choice pantry, allowing families to select the foods that best meet their household's needs and preferences. In addition to providing nutritious food, the pantry offers nutrition education, personal hygiene resources, school supply initiatives, seasonal community outreach events, and connections to other supportive services. Through partnerships with local organizations, churches, businesses, volunteers, and generous donors, our impact extends well beyond our pantry doors.
Each week, we serve more than 300 individuals, each representing a family, while also helping partner organizations distribute food throughout neighboring communities across Southside Virginia.
Although our ministry has grown, our purpose remains unchanged. We continue to serve with the same spirit of faith, compassion, and hope that inspired Pastor Patricia Shelton and Bishop James E. Shelton to begin this work. Every meal provided, every child encouraged, and every family welcomed reflects our commitment to Facing Our Community's Challenges Until Successful.
Milestones along the way
- 1973
Pastor Patricia Shelton and the late Bishop James E. Shelton found a church in Kenbridge, Virginia. The church serves the congregants and neighboring community by purchasing food for families in need.
- 2011
The pantry becomes an organized outreach ministry of The Cornerstone of Deliverance Church.
- 2016
The pantry partners with Feed More, Inc., a food bank located in Central Virginia, and expands to serve families throughout Lunenburg County and surrounding Southside Virginia communities; the pantry opens as a choice pantry.
- 2021
The Cornerstone FOCCUS Food Pantry restructures as a separate non-profit entity.
- Today
Cornerstone FOCCUS Food Pantry serves more than 300 individuals each week, partners with other organizations to extend its reach across the region, and continues to grow through the support of volunteers, donors, churches, and community partners.
Our core values
Compassion
We meet every neighbor with warmth and kindness.
Dignity
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect.
Stewardship
We use every gift wisely and transparently.
Community
We grow stronger through partnership.
Meet the team
Led by compassionate neighbors dedicated to serving our community.
Tap or click any team member on the chart to read their bio.
