Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Myers.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2020, I was running a bakery and coffee shop and, like many small business owners, I had a front-row seat to what families in our community were going through. I began noticing how many people were quietly struggling — parents stretching meals, seniors choosing between groceries and bills, families who had never needed help before suddenly finding themselves in difficult situations.
In October 2020, I decided to open my home and start a small food pantry. There wasn’t a formal business plan or big launch — just a simple decision to help. I started with what I had, posted online, and trusted that if there was a need, the community would respond. They did.
What began with a few shelves of food quickly grew. Word spread. Needs increased. Donations came in waves. I found myself operating not just as a volunteer, but as the organizer, fundraiser, and logistics coordinator — sometimes all at once. Over time, the pantry grew into something steady and consistent, now serving around 700 visits each month to families in Bartlett and surrounding towns.
Today, while the pantry has grown, the heart behind it hasn’t changed. It’s still about neighbors serving neighbors with dignity and compassion. The biggest lesson has been that you don’t have to wait until everything is perfect to start — you just start, and you stay committed. The community builds the rest around you.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road — it’s been a mix of both smooth seasons and very challenging ones. Some parts came together naturally. The community support has often been incredible, and there have been moments where donations and encouragement showed up exactly when we needed them most.
But I don’t come from a nonprofit background, so much of this has been a learning process. I’ve had to figure out everything from structuring operations to fundraising, managing growth, and navigating the administrative side of running an official nonprofit. When you’re serving around 700 visits a month, things like food supply, storage, scheduling, and sustainability become very real pressures.
There have also been seasons where I’ve felt stretched thin — wearing every hat from organizer to fundraiser to volunteer coordinator. As costs have risen for families, demand has grown, and that adds another layer of responsibility.
At the same time, those challenges have shaped the pantry into what it is today. I’ve learned resilience, flexibility, and the importance of building systems that can grow beyond just one person. It’s been a journey of faith, persistence, and constant learning — and I’m still learning every day.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Neighbors Serving Neighbors is a community-based food pantry that began in my home in October 2020 and has grown into a consistent, reliable resource for families in Bartlett and the surrounding towns. Today, we serve approximately 700 visits each month, providing groceries and essential items to individuals and families facing food insecurity.
What sets us apart is accessibility and consistency. While our hours are evolving as we transition into a dedicated pantry space, we remain very flexible and work hard to accommodate families when they need help. We understand that many people are balancing jobs, childcare, and unexpected challenges, so we do our best to meet them where they are.
We specialize in meeting immediate, practical needs without excessive red tape. Our focus is dignity. Families aren’t treated like numbers; they’re neighbors. We work hard to provide quality food and staples that people can actually use — not just surplus items.
Because I didn’t come from a nonprofit background, the organization has been built hands-on, learning as we grow. That has shaped our culture. We move quickly, we respond in real time, and we adapt when the need increases. When food runs low, we don’t close our doors — we rally the community.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve built. When people think of Neighbors Serving Neighbors, I want them to think of reliability, compassion, and community ownership. This isn’t just “my” pantry — it belongs to the community. It runs on generosity, faith, and people stepping up for one another.
What I want readers to know is that this organization was built from the ground up with heart and grit. It proves that you don’t need perfect credentials to start something meaningful — you need commitment. And when a community believes in something, it can grow beyond what you ever imagined.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about our city is the sense of community. It’s the kind of place where people still know each other, check in on one another, and show up when there’s a need. I’ve seen firsthand how generous and compassionate this community is. When the pantry is low on food, people respond. When a family is struggling, others quietly step in to help. That spirit of neighbors serving neighbors is very real here.
What I find most challenging is that in a smaller community, resources can be limited. There aren’t always enough services, funding streams, or infrastructure to meet the growing needs — especially as costs continue to rise for families. Sometimes the needs outpace what’s available locally. But in many ways, that challenge is also what brings out the best in people. It pushes us to be creative, collaborative, and deeply invested in one another.
Overall, I’m grateful to serve in a place where community still means something.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.neighborsservingneighbors.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeFoodBartlett
Image Credits
Cailey West Photography
