Funviralpark WORTHINGTON — If you’ve shopped at the grocery store and the cost of food has skyrocketed, you may understand why the number of individuals seeking help in our local and national pantries has soared. Hmm. .
“We have seen a dramatic increase and it continues,” says Linda Sanchez, Mana Food Pantry Coordinator. “It will continue as food prices rise as they do now and continue to rise.”
Donations and grants have helped Manna Food Pantry meet needs so far, but Sanchez worries that as prices continue to rise, more people will need food.
Eggs have long been considered one of the cheapest protein options, but they’re priced at over $5 a dozen at your local grocery store. However, they are just one of many items that have experienced significant price spikes. That makes it difficult for low-income individuals and families who are already short on money.
“We’re looking at everything,” Sanchez said of the patrons. They include singles, single parents, and families with and without work.
“We always try to tell them we have a job opening,” Sanchez said.
She’s also seen quite a few homeless people visit the pantry. From summer to winter. In fact, she fed a homeless woman last week, including bread and peanut butter that didn’t require a stovetop or microwave.
“In a final chilling snap, she was drifting among people she used to work with,” Sanchez reported. “Otherwise, she’s staying in her car.”
“It’s sad that it’s happening here,” she added, noting that the woman has lost her job due to the closure.Sanchez is helping homeless people find housing locally. I took her to the United Community Action Partnership to
Sanchez said she sees people from all walks of life, but one sector she doesn’t see enough of is older people. Older people living on a fixed income are less likely to come to them for help when they are struggling to make ends meet.
“I know there are seniors who could really use our services, but for some reason… they’re too humble,” she said. We know that we have not responded to the bill of
Since July 1, Manna Food Pantry has registered 185 new families for food assistance, Sanchez said. In December, 332 households visited the pantry for food.
Volunteers are also increasing the number of individuals and families seeking food at Worthington Christian Church Food Pantries across the city.
“We probably added 25 families in a month[since summer],” says coordinator LeAnn Thiner. “We have a large family (drop in). About 20 families come on Sunday night.
“They are so grateful,” she added. “Eggs are always in short supply, and I will eat any canned egg.”
Both local food pantries benefit from donations, and donations are used to purchase food through Second Harvest Heartland. With heavily discounted food offered through Second Harvest, the Pantry allows him to buy far more for $1 than if he buys food and donates it to the pantry.
Second Harvest comes to Worthington twice a month to deliver food to both Manna and Worthington Christian Church.
Both Sanchez and Thiner say the community has been very supportive with donations and has been a big help. December was a particularly good time. It’s a time when people are in a giving spirit or choosing to give at the end of the year.
“It doesn’t matter how big or small. Every little thing helps,” Sanchez said of the donation.
Foods she said were highly sought after include canned fruit. Dried pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans. pasta (avoid ready-made dinners such as hamburger helpers); unsweetened cereal, peanut butter, rice, soup; diced tomatoes and pasta sauce.
Meanwhile, Worthington Christian Church’s food shelf allows for more pork, beef and fresh vegetables such as potatoes and onions.
“We try to avoid really salty things,” Sanchez said. “We try to keep our pantry on the healthier side.”
Manna Food Pantry receives food rescue products from Kwik Trip, KFC, Walmart, Fareway, and HyVee, and is grateful to local produce producers who bring in fresh produce throughout the summer and fall.
Sanchez says the family gets access to a full pantry once a month, but they can come back every week for fresh produce and bakery items.
Anyone wishing to donate to one of the food pantries can make a monetary donation or food donation to Worthington Christian Church, 1501 Douglas Ave., Worthington. or Manna Food Pantry, 230 Clary St., Worthington.
“We would like to thank the communities and businesses in the surrounding area for their amazing support,” Sanchez said.
