Zion Lutheran Church began the Pantry as an Outreach Program in the 1960’s. There was a white cabinet where members of the congregation brought the donated food. Kay and Leo Lasher ran the Pantry delivering food to the needy until she retired in 2001.

The Church at Athens, then volunteered to run the Pantry. The Church ran the Pantry until 2006, when the Pantry was closed. In 2007, Mayor David Riley asked Karen Schubert to re-open the Pantry in the basement of the Athens  Community Building. Karen, with the help of Gethen Proper, Allison Smith and many volunteers kept the Pantry going over the years. 

In 2008 with the sponsorship of Zion Lutheran Church the Pantry became a member of the Regional Northeast Food Bank.

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In 2014, thoughts of moving the Pantry to a more suitable location began. Over the next three years, with the help of many people, $25,000.00 was raised by the community. Zion Lutheran Church graciously donated space in their lower level. 

Construction began in February 2017 under the guidance of Tim Mercer of Mercer Associates. Many volunteers and generous sponsors enabled The Athens Community Food Pantry to be returned to it’s original location at 102 North Washington Street.