Food Pantry Expands Services with MSU Extension Support

Fruits of Love Food Pantry in Leland, MS increases healthy protein options for clients through Healthy Hub Initiative grant

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Fruits of Love Food Pantry in Leland, Mississippi was able to significantly expand its offerings of fresh and frozen meat for clients after participating in a pilot program organized by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The Healthy Hub Initiative provided the pantry with grant funding to purchase chicken, fish, ground beef and pork, allowing them to serve more families with nutritious meal options.

Why it matters

The increased availability of healthy proteins is crucial for the pantry's clients, many of whom have had to cut back on buying meat due to rising grocery prices. This initiative helps address food insecurity and nutrition gaps in the community served by the Fruits of Love Food Pantry.

The details

The Healthy Hub Initiative, launched in 2025 by the MSU Extension's AIM for CHangE program, helps food pantries gain experience in grant writing, project implementation and evaluation. The grant funding allowed the Fruits of Love Food Pantry to expand its offerings beyond just distributing food, and instead provide more nutritious, balanced meal options for the 265 families it serves across three counties.

  • The Healthy Hub Initiative was launched by AIM for CHangE in 2025.
  • The Fruits of Love Food Pantry began participating in the Healthy Hub Initiative in 2025.

The players

Keltra Chandler

Project manager for AIM for CHangE, the organization that launched the Healthy Hub Initiative.

Jasmine Styles

Executive director of TCOTLG Community Outreach and Services, which operates the Fruits of Love Food Pantry.

Fruits of Love Food Pantry

A community food pantry in Leland, Mississippi that serves 265 families across three counties.

AIM for CHangE

A program of the Mississippi State University Extension Service that aims to reduce obesity and improve health in Mississippi communities.

Healthy Hub Initiative

A pilot program organized by AIM for CHangE to help food pantries gain experience in grant writing, project implementation and evaluation.

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What they’re saying

“'Fruits of Love has participated in many of our educational programs and is passionate about providing healthy options for the pantry's clients. The mini-grant funds provided through the Healthy Hub Initiative allowed them to purchase chicken, fish, ground beef and pork throughout the summer and increase the number of families they can serve.'”

— Keltra Chandler, Project manager, AIM for CHangE

“'Distributing fresh and frozen meat marked a major turning point in our ability to provide more nutritious, balanced meal options. The Healthy Hub Initiative allowed us to go from simply distributing food to distributing healthy, consistent and reliable food. This was life-changing for many families.'”

— Jasmine Styles, Executive director, TCOTLG Community Outreach and Services

What’s next

The Healthy Hub Initiative plans to continue supporting food pantries in Mississippi through grant funding and educational programs to help them become more sustainable and increase their ability to provide nutritious food options to their communities.

The takeaway

This initiative demonstrates how targeted grant funding and collaborative programs can empower community-based organizations like the Fruits of Love Food Pantry to expand their services and make a meaningful impact on food insecurity and nutrition in underserved areas.