Interview with Judy Trezvant

For the residents of Johnson County, comprised mostly of rural and low-income families, food is not always easy to come by. Given that the average Social Security benefit for those within the county is roughly $475 per month, the community was finally given room to celebrate when single mother Judy Trezvant opened her bustling new business. Five months ago, Trezvant finally opened her own food bank, where grocery staples such as bread, milk and meat—supplied by a national program run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—are sold at prices that families of Johnson County can, quite happily, afford.

Helen Gibbs, 62, of Harmontown, is a retired clerk, living at home with her disabled husband. She says she comes to the food bank once a week. “She’s always trying to help people,” says Gibbs, perhaps a little emotional. “She’s just… fantastic.”

Main Street Organization awarded Miss Trezvant, 53, of Corinth, five months of no rent to use their facility for her food bank; but now that her five months is coming to a close, people are beginning to wonder if there will be enough funds to keep the food bank open for business. Judy has worked part-time as a receptionist, being too badly injured in a car accident to return to her career as a registered nurse. However, since Judy opened her food bank, the community has pulled as many strings as possible to raise money with bake sales and music concerts; in one month alone, the youth program of Glendale United Methodist collected and donated $400. All the same, Judy must be moved out by the 15^th.

For Judy Trezvant, the Harmontown food bank, aptly named Raising Hope Food Pantry, is more than just a job—it’s a dream spanning decades. Having been divorced and saddled with three daughters, Judy turned to her faith to help her in her time of need. She then made a deal with God: if He could help her successfully guide and care for her three girls, she would find a way to help others in return. And Judy has no intention of hanging up her gloves.

“We won’t close up, because God has shown me that there is a way,” Judy says.

For a county with an unemployment rate of 10.5% (nearly two points higher than the national average), the food bank has been a saving grace. Dedicated to repaying a lifelong debt, Judy Trezvant focuses on keeping the Raising Hope Food Pantry open for business, and has yet to give up the good fight.