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Harvest Share Food Pantry Expands to Meet Growing Need as Holidays Approach

Issue #604

November 05, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 73, low of 53

📰 Harvest Share Food Pantry Expands to Meet Growing Need as Holidays Approach

📰 City Hosts Community Open House to Shape East Columbia Improvements

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

Check Out Yesterday’s Feature Story! 👇

Harvest Share Food Pantry Expands to Meet Growing Need as Holidays Approach

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A newly consolidated food pantry in Maury County is gearing up for the holiday season, preparing for what is expected to be a surge in families needing meals and essentials.

Two Columbia nonprofits — Harvest Share Food Pantry and The Family Center — have combined efforts to operate a larger, unified community pantry at Harvest Share’s existing location at 419 W. 9th Street.

Since forming the partnership earlier this year, Harvest Share has seen significant growth in the number of families it serves each month. The collaboration allows Harvest Share to focus on food distribution while The Family Center expands its work addressing homelessness and housing needs. As part of the transition, The Family Center now directs clients in need of food to Harvest Share, while Harvest Share refers those facing housing insecurity to The Family Center. The change has resulted in a steady increase in clients, with Harvest Share now serving around 500 to 550 families each month.

To meet the growing need, the pantry is also expanding its capacity with the installation of a new walk-in cooler and the addition of a donated cargo van that has greatly improved food pickup and distribution.

Looking ahead to the holidays, Harvest Share is launching its first “Hustle for Harvest Share” 5K fundraiser, taking place Thanksgiving morning at Pillow Springs Golf Course, 119 Stoneybrook Road. The goal is to raise enough funds to provide full Christmas meals — including hams and side dishes — for 500 families. Organizers estimate the effort will cost at least $5,000 and hope the community will rally to support the cause.

Runners can register for the 5K online for $43.40, plus a small processing fee. The race begins at 8 a.m.

While the pantry continues to grow and adapt, staff remain concerned about the ripple effects of the ongoing federal government shutdown, particularly how delays in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could impact local families already struggling to make ends meet. Though the full impact is still unknown, the pantry expects to see an increase in need in the weeks ahead.

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City Hosts Community Open House to Shape East Columbia Improvements

The City of Columbia invites residents to participate in a public open house to review and provide feedback on the draft East Columbia Small Area Plan. The event will take place on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Dr. Christa S. Martin Community Center at Fairview Park, located at 871 Iron Bridge Road.

The East Columbia Small Area Plan is designed to identify projects and priorities that help implement the City’s Comprehensive Plan, focusing on enhancing community connections, improving health and walkability, and addressing facility and service needs across East Columbia neighborhoods.

The open house format will allow attendees to drop in at any time between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. to review displays, share feedback, and speak directly with City staff and planning consultants. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

For more information about the East Columbia Small Area Plan or upcoming community meetings, please contact the City of Columbia Planning Department at (931) 560-1531.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, November 6th

Friday, November 7th

Saturday, November 8th

Sunday, November 9th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, November 6th

Todd Ciprian — Tito’s Spring Hill, 6–9 PM
Gwynne Alden — Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Friday, November 7th

Box of Rox — Grinder’s Switch Winery, 6–8 PM
Neal Pennington — McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Mary Lou Lackey — Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
Troy Kemp — Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Wentzel Brothers Band — Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, November 8th

Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints — McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7–9 PM
Fall Series: The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Makin Merri — Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
The Howlin Embers — Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Nkahootz — The Boondox, 8 PM
Eden Storm — Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Sunday, November 9th

Wicked Chowdah — Rebel Bar & Grill, 4 PM

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