06/08/2026
Today, Community Storehouse Board Member Linda Pulliam addressed Martinsville City Council during its budget workshop to advocate for continued support of Community Storehouse and the thousands of local residents who depend on our services.
While many important community priorities were discussed, Linda reminded Council that few investments have a more immediate impact than ensuring children, seniors, disabled individuals, and struggling families have access to food. Every day, we see firsthand that hunger is not a future concern; it is a present reality for many of our neighbors.
Over the past 25 years, Community Storehouse has provided more than 3 million meals, served over 8,000 families, and impacted nearly 20,000 lives throughout Martinsville and Henry County. Today, our programs include:
• Client-Choice Grocery Program
• Home Delivery Program for seniors and homebound individuals
• Food for Kids Backpack Program
• Summer Lunch Club for Kids
• Food Rescue Program, recovering hundreds of thousands of pounds of food annually
• Resource referrals and supportive services connecting families with additional assistance
During the discussion, a question was raised regarding utilities associated with the building's upper floor. While the upstairs area is included on our utility account, that floor remains unused and the associated breakers have been turned off as part of ongoing efforts to reduce operating costs and maximize resources for our mission; therefore, we do not heat or cool a floor we do not use.
Last year, the City of Martinsville invested $10,000 in Community Storehouse. That support helped ensure local families continued receiving food assistance during a challenging period. As Council considers priorities for the coming year, we remain committed to demonstrating the value and impact of every dollar entrusted to us.
We are grateful to Linda for speaking on behalf of our clients, volunteers, donors, and supporters, and to City Council for taking the time to hear about the critical role Community Storehouse plays in building a stronger, healthier community.