Inspiration Behind Pascal's Pantry
In the Spring of 2017, Dr. Tom Kelly, a professor and theologian at Creighton University, embarked on an immersion trip to the Batey, a Haitian immigrant community in the Dominican Republic. It was there that he encountered a heart-wrenching sight: a malnourished boy named Pascal, who was over two years old but could neither crawl nor walk. This moment ignited a passion to address the urgent needs of children suffering from malnutrition.
Dr. Tanya Bendict, the founder and president of Pascal's Pantry, recalls the laughter of children playing with makeshift toys, yet her heart ached for those who were hungry. "Food is something we take for granted," she reflected. The dire need for a children's pantry became clear, and with the support of Dr. Kelly and a dedicated team, Pascal's Pantry was born in 2017.