ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 News 6\u2019s Ashley Garrett first introduced viewers to the Parramore Market and its owner, Jennifer Hilaire, in July as she worked to bring affordable groceries and essentials to the community. Now, a church outside the area in Flagler County, has stepped in with a donation worth tens of thousands of dollars after seeing the story.<\/p>\n
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Palm Coast is set to donate $25,000 to support the new business, Hilaire told News 6.<\/p>\n
\u201cDignity starts here,\u201d is the message that greets visitors at the Parramore Market entrance, where Hilaire hopes to create a shopping experience that feels like a traditional grocery store.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want people to feel \u2014 I want everything to feel what it feels like going to the Parramore Market,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Hilaire said she was shocked when the church first reached out.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt first I\u2019m like, this has to be fraud,\u201d she said, laughing.<\/p>\n
She said the church sent paperwork asking about the level of need.<\/p>\n
\u201cI filled out not knowing what their capacity to give was,\u201d Hilaire said.<\/p>\n
Hilaire said she decided to put $25,000 as the requested amount . She considered that amount after last year thru her group The Desire Foundation raising $49,000. The group using that money to feed 6,000 families.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I said, you know what, I\u2019m just gonna put 25 thousand,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The next day, she said, the church sent over a contract approving that amount.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I was just like, God \u2014 I started shouting in my room. I\u2019m real churchy,\u201d Hilaire said. News 6\u2019s Ashley Garrett responded, \u201cSame,\u201d laughing.<\/p>\n
The Parramore Market is set to open on Westmoreland next month and will offer a mix of low-cost and no-cost items, Hilaire said.<\/p>\n
She said free items will include produce, baby formula and even laundry detergent \u2014 an expense that can quickly add up for families.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you go to get your little normal size Tide, that can be anywhere from 10\u2026 maybe 15 bucks,\u201d Garrett said during the story. Hilaire added that being able to refill detergent as needed can save money compared with buying new containers.<\/p>\n
Hilaire said she had previously shared concerns about how she would continue serving the community financially, but said support has continued to arrive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe power of a yes,\u201d she said when talking to Garrett, reflecting on how one opportunity can lead to another.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust saying one yes \u2014 it\u2019s like you. You said yes to the interview and that opened doors for us to get that funding,\u201d she said. \u201cIf they said yes to us, then that\u2019s gonna open more doors for us to feed thousands of people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parramore Market is scheduled to open to the public Sept. 9.<\/p>\n