When April Knapp decided to set up a small food pantry in her front yard, she never expected the idea to take off as quickly as it did.

She told Scope News the project began as a lighthearted idea with her daughter. “Then she saw a TikTok about someone else that did it in a different state, and within two days we had it going,” Knapp said.

Your opinion counts — Vote today in our Local Favorites 2025 survey!

Knapp, who also runs Sunshine Creations & Special Events, said her daughter created a flyer and a social media event page, and before long, donations began to roll in.

“It’s been constant,” she said. “It’ll be full, and within a couple hours I’ll come check and it’s empty, and then it’ll be full again.”

Aside from a large donation from Patriot’s Choice Plumbing to help get the pantry started, Knapp said most of the supplies have come from individuals. “It’s been a community that’s come together to do it,” she added.

Set up alongside the road, at 1850 Teague Lane, for easy — and discreet — access, the small station is open around the clock for anyone in need. Knapp said she intentionally made it a judgment-free space.

“We want to make it clear that we aren’t here to pressure anyone,” she said. “If they don’t want to talk to us, they don’t have to. If they want to come in the middle of the night so no one sees them, that’s OK.”

The pantry receives visitors from all walks of life — families, single parents, and one woman who stops by daily.

“She picks up just what she needs,” Knapp said. “She gave me a dollar and I told her she didn’t have to. That’s not what we want from this. We really just want to help people.”

The most requested items so far, she said, have been kid-friendly foods and essentials. “I just think families in general need help right now,” she said. “Anything is appreciated. Bring it, it’ll be used.”

Knapp said the feedback from neighbors has been entirely positive. “Nobody’s said anything negative,” she said. “It’s gone like crazy. It’s just been amazing.”

The project has become a family effort, with her daughter and teenage son helping spread the word and restock the tent. “We all have that same passion to help people,” she said. “This is just another way to do it.”

In addition to big-ticket items like a freezer and shed, Knapp says the pantry’s needs change depending on the day. Follow her Facebook page for updates.

Although the project wasn’t explicitly tied to the recent interruption in federal benefits, it comes at a time when local food assistance organizations say they’re seeing an increased need.

Brooke Lawson, the food pantry director at Project: Re3 Hope Center, told Scope News that the community has stepped up to help replenish the shelves — but items are leaving almost as quickly as they come in.

The pantry, located at 3801 Old Hollow Road, operates Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with Wednesdays drawing the highest turnout. Lawson said the biggest consistent needs include nonperishable foods such as peanut butter, granola bars, oatmeal, cereal, pancake mix, syrup, soups, crackers, and individually packaged snacks.

Donations are accepted by appointment or during drop-off hours on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information, residents can call 336-497-1330.

“It takes all of us together to make a dent in the community’s needs,” Lawson said.

Other local food pantries are also serving Kernersville residents, including:

• The Salvation Army Food Pantry — 130 East Mountain Street. Open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. (336-993-8844)
• Mt. Moriah Outreach Center — 317 Jefferson Street. Open the third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (336-312-6427)

Send news tips, letters to the editor, or hot takes to editor@scopenewsonline.com! 

Copyright 2025 Informed Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without express written consent.