History

Marie Wilkinson was a lifetime social and civil rights activist who fought against poverty, hunger, homelessness, joblessness, and injustice. Marie founded the Pantry in the 1950’s after a near-death experience that caused her to make a personal commitment to helping the less fortunate.

 

Driven by a new life purpose, Wilkinson began giving out bags of food to those in need from her bungalow on View Street. She was known to invite complete strangers into her home for meals and help them solve their problems, and she believed strongly that “people needed to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel,” recalls her daughter Sheila Scott-Wilkinson.

“Her God gave her a second chance at life and she made good with her promise to always serve the less fortunate,” — Sheila Scott-Wilkinson.

Wilkinson recruited friends and neighbors to help, and soon she had a started a soup kitchen and food pantry. Today, the Pantry continues to serve the community.

“She doesn’t like to see anybody hurting for anything,” said Rose Marshall, who has worked for decades at the Food Pantry Wilkinson started.

“She has a love for people, and her love just spreads through everybody else.” — Rose Marshall.