Food Pantry in Need: Serving 70% More Families Amid Skyrocketing Food Costs

The AMEN Food Pantry reports that 312 families were served for the month of September for a total of 930 individuals.

By contrast, in September 2022, 185 families and 489 individuals were served.

A total of 145 volunteers for 365 hours served the pantry. A total of 3,197 pounds of food was received as donations. As indicated by the data, the pantry is now serving 70% more families and 95% increase in total of individuals.

The current cost to serve a family varies from $28 to $30 per family. When calculated, this an average of nine thousand dollars per month to meet the food needs. Also keep in mind operational costs have increased with utilities and the extreme heat.

The increased volume has created a large demand for food. Here at AMEN the increase in food costs has decreased the purchasing volume. Today, ten dollars buys what cost $7 dollars in the past.

The busy holiday season is approaching, and the need will be even greater. The pantry is asking for an increase in actual food donations and/or monetary donations to continue to meet this demand. As indicated the pantry is committed to serve the needs, however the rising food costs and the increase volume will ultimately have the pantry give less product. Donations are brought on Monday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon or Thursday morning from 10 a.m. until noon. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 571, La Grange, Texas 78945, or dropped off at the Pantry.

If your organization is holding a special food drive for the holiday season, call (979) 968-3943 to arrange an alternate delivery time for the product if the current receiving times do not work for you.

The mobile pantry at Waldeck served 85 households for a total of 165 individuals. A total of 19 volunteers with 4,126 pounds distributed.