Representatives of Tarrant Area Food Bank recently announced that the Stephenville community pantry and mobile food bank will be discontinued effective Sept. 1, but the Dublin mobile food bank (first Thursday of each month, 5-6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Dublin parking lot) will continue.
“We have been assured by TAFB that this is the only Erath County agency affected by program closures,” said Hope Inc’s Jill Scott of the Stephenville pantry. This project was a joint effort of five local TAFB agencies. Those include H.O.P.E., Inc, The Love Basket, Basic Needs, Grace Place and St. Luke’s Food Pantry.
Since its launch in July 2018, the Stephenville Community Pantry has provided over 1,285,000 pounds of food to nearly 22,600 Erath County families. Scott said the mobile food pantry in Dublin has grown a lot since it became a monthly fixture in May 2021. By the end of that year, it had served 997 families and 3,765 individuals. In 2025, the Dublin pantry served 2,431 families and 9,422 individuals.
In the Spring of 2023, TAFB implemented a delivery fee for both pantries in addition to the fee already being charged for protein items. Since that time the Erath County United Way has generously funded the program and allowed it to continue.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of our partner agencies, the Erath County United Way, volunteers and community members who made the Stephenville Community Pantry possible,” said Scott.
With the exit of the Stephenville pantry, Scott is concerned the Dublin one will grow bigger, requiring some more organization and volunteers to sort and pack items as well as direct traffic which requires extra care due to the road and utility work in town.
Scott said First Baptist Church does a great job of organizing volunteers which is bolstered by Tarleton Serves during the fall and spring semesters.
“We will need many more volunteers,” said FBC’s Courtney Scoggins. “Tarleton Serves sends a wonderful group to help but only while school is in session and as long as it doesn’t fall during holidays, breaks or exams. That leaves us with about 6 months out of the year with not much help. Most of our volunteers are seniors and we could use some young folks with lots of energy.” Anyone who would like to volunteer can call (254) 445-2435 or email firstbaptist@fbcdublin.net.
The final offerings of the Stephenville mobile pantry will be July 18 and Aug. 20 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Stephenville First Baptist Church parking lot.
Erath County United Way also lists these other food pantries serving the area: Dublin
Cottonwood Food Pantry (Tues & Thurs 9:30 a.m.-Noon) 273 CR527 2 54-445-2929 First Methodist (Mon-Thurs 9 a.m.-1 p.m.)
630 Highland Ave. 254-445-2157 The Love Basket (first and third Fri 8-11 a.m. & 5-7 p.m.)
207 E. Elm 254-445-8081
Stephenville
Basic Needs Food Pantry (Thurs 9:30 a.m.-Noon) 312 Belknap St. 254-965-4510 Grace Place (Mon Noon-3 p.m.; Tues, Wed, Thurs 9 a.m.-Noon) 365 W. Tarleton St. 254-965-4022 Hope Inc. (Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-Noon) 1617 E. Washington St. 254-965-2700 Oakdale Methodist Little Pantry of Sharing 24/7 2675 W. Overhill Dr. St. Luke’s Food Pantry (Tues after the 2nd and 4th Mon) Also Little Pantry of Sharing 24/7 595 N. McIlhaney 254-968-6949 Morgan Mill Methodist Church (Wed 3:30-5:30 p.m.)
21508 N. Hwy 281 254-595-1503