By Sandra Smith

The community of Willis is nestled within the rolling hills and green pastures of southwestern Floyd County, just eleven scenic miles from downtown Floyd, down Floyd Highway, south. Willis his home to friendly neighbors who look out for each other. It’s a place where familiar faces always have a smile and a “Hi, how are you today?”
If you speed through or blink, you might miss it. It may be small, but it’s a community with a big heart, and it’s a place where everyone comes together to provide for those in need. It is with these ideals firmly in heart that Sandra Smith, manager of Willis Village Mart, started Neighbors Helping Neighbors: to help provide for those in need.
The greenhouse at Willis Village Mart is typically full of flowers and vegetable plants for your garden needs during the spring, summer and fall months. Instead of lying dormant and empty during the cold winter months, however, the greenhouse was transformed last year into a donation area and place of giving! Individuals and families in need were able to shop for much-needed items for free. That’s right! All donated items were passed along to families in need for free. Neighbors Helping Neighbors was a go!
Many of us want to help but may not know how. With help from our neighbors, however, the greenhouse will be transformed again this year; allowing everyone in the community to be engaged in helping those around us.
Starting November first, the greenhouse doors will be open to families and individuals from 8:00am – 8:00pm, seven days a week, to shop for needed items. If you don’t find the items you need, please feel free to check back often, as new donations come in daily. Donations can be dropped off at Willis Village Mart from 8:00am – 8:00pm daily, from November 1, 2019 through March 1, 2020.
The winters in Floyd County can be brutal, and heating costs can be expensive. There’s a phrase around Willis/Buffalo Mountain/Indian Valley in the wintertime – ‘Never mind the forecast, we make our own weather here’. Thus, gently used clothes, shoes, coats, blankets, household items, toys, etcetera are greatly appreciated, and much needed by families who otherwise may not be able to afford these things. These donations will allow families some relief from choosing between paying the electric bill and having coats and warm clothing for the winter. All items will be collected at Willis Village Mart and then organized in the greenhouse for easier shopping.
With a collective heart that embraces caring for others being such a prevalent part of this community, the support for this new endeavor has been overwhelming. When you consider how vast the need is across the country, one person may not be able to do a lot. But when people come together, anything is possible.
The people of Willis are honored to be able to provide a measure of relief to those who need it most, and they want to say a big thank you to everyone who donated to the cause last year! Neighbors Helping Neighbors is just another example of the special brand of kindness and generosity that comes with living in a tight-knit community of people that have hearts grown for giving. For further information about the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, of if you wish to donate, please call 540-789-7241. Or, you can stop by the Willis Village Mart located at 5602 Floyd Hwy S. in Willis.
Sandra Smith would like to say thank you to everyone who donated to the cause last year and offer a thank you in advance to those who are planning to donate this year! She’d also like to thank the employees of Willis Village Mart who help collect and organize the daily donations for the greenhouse shop.
Willis Village Mart has everything you need for one stop shopping: from fresh produce, hand cut steaks, fresh cut meats and seafood, gas, groceries, craft beer, and wine. We support many local farmers with locally grown produce, honey, and crafts. Also, if you are looking for a quick dinner option, Willis Village Mart now has fresh baked pizza by the slice, and whole pizzas to go. As mentioned, we have local bedding plants for your garden and flower garden and hanging baskets to decorate your porch, as well as roses and mums in season. Shirley and Stacy Moran, owners of Willis Village Mart, have been leaders in supporting local charities, community fundraisers and events for over thirty years. Thank you so much for supporting our community, for your business, and for shopping local!

Neighbors Helping Neighbors • 540-789-7241
Willis Village Mart • 5602 Floyd Hwy S., Willis, VA