Who We Are

The Sparta Community Food Pantry, Inc (SCFP), a 501c3 charity (87-2275775) located in Sparta, New Jersey has been serving anyone in need for over 30 years. We have served and continue to serve primarily Sussex county and the surrounding counties, but will help anyone who is in need. The pantry is staffed entirely by volunteers.

The pantry began in 1985, and was located inside the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta and was known as The Sparta Ecumenical Food Pantry. The pantry remained in the church until 2021 when we moved to our new facility located at 99 Demarest Road, Sparta. The pantry was renamed the Sparta Community Food Pantry. The mission that was started many years ago remains unchanged: feed anyone in need and anywhere they live to the best of our ability. We never require documentation or proof of need. The only requirement is to be in need.

Feeding people in need is our primary objective, however, a close second is feeding people nutritiously. Once the basic need of hunger is met our hope is they can move forward with their lives, eg, apply for a job, reach out to social service agencies, study for an exam, etc.

The pantry offers a food shopping experience for our walk-in clients, which provides the opportunity for them to shop for what they need and/or want. Produce, dairy, meat, shelf stable foods, household products, pet food and hygiene items are offered at the pantry. The pantry also offers agency contacts and referrals to the client as needed.

Volunteers deliver food to the home-bound, providing bags of groceries assembled at the pantry by other volunteers. These groceries provide a balanced diet for up to a week. Delivery volunteers are in communication with the clients and/or with their support group to ensure the selections are appropriate, eg, food allergies, secular preferences and dietary restrictions as much as possible.

The pantry is always working toward zero waste. Any perishables no longer usable for client distribution is given to local farmers (currently we have 3) to feed to their animals. All food is used to feed the hungry.