Main Street Cafe in Garland hosts food drive for pantry recovering from winter storm

Main Street Cafe in downtown Garland is hosting a food drive for a local pantry that suffered from a lack of donations during last month’s winter storms.

After the shelves of Good Samaritans of Garland emptied at the end of February, volunteers stepped in to help. Local businesses and organizations like Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery and VN United Soccer showed up with donations as the snow thawed out, according to the pantry’s Facebook page.

But Main Street Cafe wants to take it a step further. Owner Tammy Hauck-Norvell said she felt compelled to help out after hearing of the pantry’s empty shelves. Since last Tuesday, she has collected between 150 to 200 pounds of donations.

“I knew how much they step in, and they take over and help everybody,” Hauck-Norvell said. “But then whenever their shelves are barren, they’re kind of stuck, not able to help.”

Residents with water, canned goods, pasta, can openers, or clothing can bring donations inside the cafe until next Wednesday, March 17.

“It just takes a spark here in Garland, and then the fire just goes,” Hauck-Norvell said. “It just makes me so happy. It brings tears to my eyes when people are walking in.”

Main Street Cafe is located at 627 West Main St.