Anyone Here Participate in Their Local Food Pantry?

[Rozzer]

Here where we are, as well as everywhere else, I'm sure, people do what they can for the local food pantry that supplements food stamps and tries to diminish the number of dumpster divers. Normal people like us bring canned and boxed goods. People with gardens bring produce. Local farmers donate lots of things, as do local food stores and eating places. And yet the demand always seems to exceed the supply, and down here at least the customers do have to show they're in need.

For those of you working with the food pantries in your towns, are your experiences similar? How are things going up where you may be?

[blue catfish]

i have been helping my church food pantry for 3 years. we used to serve 75 familys. now we are serving 150-200 familys every 2 weeks. there just more pepole in need now then ever. and i feel this just the tip of things to come. i just wish there was more i could do.

[Rozzer]

i have been helping my church food pantry for 3 years. we used to serve 75 familys. now we are serving 150-200 familys every 2 weeks. there just more pepole in need now then ever. and i feel this just the tip of things to come. i just wish there was more i could do.

Do you have a garden, blue catfish? Or do you go fishing? Some farmers will let you glean for a food bank. If you have the time, of course.

[blue catfish]

yes. i have a garden,and i take my extras to the church. i have my nabors. geve there extras to the church. i fish and camp as much as posable. it is so relaxing.

[mgroves6]

I work for the local food pantry in my town. Clients are referred by the Human Services office or local clergy. The pantry is open only two mornings/week and one evening/month for working people. We have seen our client base increased by about 20% a year for the last two years. We serve 225-225 families in a year. (Our town has a population of about 10,000.) Our citezens and businesses donate perishable and non perishable food, we get bakery items from a local grocer and unsalable (broken packages, slightly dented cans, etc) food and other items from the local WalMart. Monetary donations allow us to buy fill in items which are not donated. Oh yeah, our Boy and Girl Scouts do a town-wide food drive every fall. So we have a lot of support locally but still must keep on top of supplies to keep up with the demand.

[KarenB]

That's fantastic. Good for you. I offered to help with my local food bank and never received a return call.Sad but true but I think they were very judgmental and cliquey. Too bad.

[K. Slink]

That really is too bad, turning away people who want to help when there is such a great need. I was turned away once because my cooking skills weren't needed--what they wanted were big and strong guys to do the loading and un-loading. I too found the "don't call us, we'll call you" mindset.....what a shame, and what a waste of talent!

[katie21229]

I would like to say thank you to everyone who helps out and donates to their local food pantry. I am a mother of a 1yr old baby boy and a 2 week old baby girl...my husband is in the Army and we have been going thru some tough times, especially when he was deployed and I had to move back to Baltimore while pregnant. The cost of living in Balto (if in a decent area) is a small fourtune!! Anyway, I had to go to a neighborhood food pantry twice and I was very embarrassed...but it helped my family tremendously and I am trying to give back to others in need any way I can....Believe me, times are tough...Not everyone who needs assistance from time to time is lazy, greedy or whatever...it happens to the best of us....:*)

[BasilRock]

I would like to say thank you to everyone who helps out and donates to their local food pantry. I am a mother of a 1yr old baby boy and a 2 week old baby girl...my husband is in the Army and we have been going thru some tough times, especially when he was deployed and I had to move back to Baltimore while pregnant. The cost of living in Balto (if in a decent area) is a small fourtune!! Anyway, I had to go to a neighborhood food pantry twice and I was very embarrassed...but it helped my family tremendously and I am trying to give back to others in need any way I can....Believe me, times are tough...Not everyone who needs assistance from time to time is lazy, greedy or whatever...it happens to the best of us....:*)

I am sorry that you are going through some bad times. Especially with your husband being in the military. Military families should not have to worry about food and such. I also want to say that I do not believe that any decent human being would think that everyone who needs help like you do, think that you are lazy or greedy. Keep your head high and do not worry about what some stupid people might think. You are correct in saying that everyone from time to time needs help. God Bless you and your family and I hope your husband stays safe, as we are all greatfull for the job that he is doing to protect us.

[KarenB]

You have nothing to be embarrassed about. The embarrassed ones are the ones too proud to go and let themselves and the children go under norished. You and your family are serving your country. That makes you a very special person. The rest of us get caught up in our daily lives and forget to take time to thank you for your sacrifice. If it wasn't for your unselfish way of live we would be living in a country that didn't have the options of food banks....thank you.