Amanda James: From Shopper to Leader

Before Amanda James became Director of Marketing and Food Pantries at Haven Ministries, she walked through the pantry doors for another reason.

“My first experience here was actually as a shopper,” James says.

It was January, a slow season for her small business. Work had slowed, expenses had not, and she found herself in need of help.

“For the first time in my life, I found myself needing to come to the food pantry as a client instead of a contributor,” she recalls.

That experience informs the way she sees the work happening at Haven Ministries every day.

Today, James helps lead a pantry that served 25,425 clients representing 8,279 households in 2025, distributing more than 530,000 pounds of food to neighbors across the region.

She remembers what it felt like to stand on the other side of the shelves — trying to plan meals for a month, navigating limits, and stretching every resource.

“At that time, food resources were much more limited at the pantry,” James says. “It wasn’t a people issue… it was a food issue. We just needed more food.”

Since then, Haven Ministries has expanded retail partnerships, increased food rescue efforts, and broadened the variety of food available. Today the pantry regularly distributes fresh produce, dairy, meats, and prepared meals alongside shelf-stable items — helping families access fresh and familiar foods.

The amount of food available also helps the pantry tailor its services to meet client nutritional needs.

“Our goal is to meet the needs of our clients,” she says. “It’s not black and white. What some clients need looks different from others.”

That flexibility allows Haven Ministries to support people facing various medical or nutritional challenges.

One client, for example, came to the pantry after her medical insurance changed during a battle with cancer.

“Her medical expenses had grown exponentially, and between paying for chemotherapy, doctor visits, and daily medications, there wasn’t enough money left for food,” James says. “We were able to reassure her that this is why our pantries exist — to help in a time of need, so that no one has to choose between finances and food.”

Hunger often is temporary, James says. Sometimes it appears during a difficult season — a job slowdown, a medical crisis, or an unexpected financial strain. And when that happens, having a place that offers help without judgment can make all the difference.

For James, the memory of her own visit to the pantry continues to guide the way she approaches the work today.

“It’s so rewarding to know that you’re able to make a difference in someone’s life just by showing compassion and helping fulfill a basic need,” she says.

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Article By: Sarah Ensor, Ensor Enterprises