12 Jul Food Pantry Sees Need for Staples
Pasta, canned soup and cereal are a few of the staple goods that the Food Pantry is running low on lately. The needs come and go, with large donations of some items almost overwhelming the pantry at times. But this summer has also seen markedly increased demand.
“We’re doing ok, everybody’s getting what they need,” said Food Pantry Manager Andy Wyatt, who limits certain items like toilet paper to ensure those who come later in the day also get some.
Donations from private sources on the rise
The share of pantry items coming from sources other than the food banks and grocery stores has been steadily increasing. “We have a very generous group of donors – corporations and individuals,” he said.
The pantry logged 9,000 pounds more donations from individuals and businesses in fiscal year 2023, which ended in June, over fiscal year 2022. About half of that was from large shipments that got diverted from places like Walmart due to pallet issues, such as 1,800 pounds of laundry detergent.
Demand still outstripping supply
However, increased demand has made supplies tight even amid the increase in donations.
“This Monday, we served 46 households, and typically it’s in the mid-to-high 30s,” Andy said. “There’s really been a lot of demand.”
“Like today, if you look in there, it really looks quite plush. We have a lot of bread and a lot of produce. I’m guessing by closing time, there’s going to be not a lot of clean up, and that’s been typical” over recent weeks.
The increased demand is likely a combination of factors, from the increased cost of living to a recent reduction in SNAP benefits. Andy spoke with one client whose food benefits dropped to $28 from the triple digits.
At the same time, demand has steadily increased over the past two years.
Individual donations encouraged
The public is welcome to contribute donations to the Food Pantry. People can come by during pantry hours, or even leave bags overnight under the cover of the Food Pantry back entrance.
Contact Andy Wyatt directly at awyatt@fcsmaine.org or (207) 865-3985 ext. 214 to find out more.