ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6’s 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.
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Palm Coast is set to donate $25,000 to support the new business, Hilaire told News 6.
“Dignity starts here,” 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.
“I want people to feel — I want everything to feel what it feels like going to the Parramore Market,” she said.
Hilaire said she was shocked when the church first reached out.
“At first I’m like, this has to be fraud,” she said, laughing.
She said the church sent paperwork asking about the level of need.
“I filled out not knowing what their capacity to give was,” Hilaire said.
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.
“So I said, you know what, I’m just gonna put 25 thousand,” she said.
The next day, she said, the church sent over a contract approving that amount.
“And I was just like, God — I started shouting in my room. I’m real churchy,” Hilaire said. News 6’s Ashley Garrett responded, “Same,” laughing.
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.
She said free items will include produce, baby formula and even laundry detergent — an expense that can quickly add up for families.
“When you go to get your little normal size Tide, that can be anywhere from 10… maybe 15 bucks,” Garrett said during the story. Hilaire added that being able to refill detergent as needed can save money compared with buying new containers.
Hilaire said she had previously shared concerns about how she would continue serving the community financially, but said support has continued to arrive.
“The power of a yes,” she said when talking to Garrett, reflecting on how one opportunity can lead to another.
“Just saying one yes — it’s like you. You said yes to the interview and that opened doors for us to get that funding,” she said. “If they said yes to us, then that’s gonna open more doors for us to feed thousands of people.”
Parramore Market is scheduled to open to the public Sept. 9.
Link to donate to Jennifer’s group here.