Sarah messaged me just after lunch today to tell me about the two items she chose as important, hard to come by, and sorely missed: turkey-flavored stuffing mix and Betty Crocker Potato Buds.
(Photo above, the Pantry Volunteers at a Volunteers Appreciation Dinner Sunday.)
Last week, 384 people (131 families) came to the Cambridge Food Pantry looking for food they could no longer afford to pay for.
One: Amazon Fresh, Stuffing Mix Turkey Flavor, 6 Oz, $1.42.
Two: Betty Crocker Gluten Free, 100 percent Real Potato Buds, 28 Oz (Pack of 6).
I don’t need to make a pitch about the importance of this; the support the Army of Good has given the pantry more than speaks for itself. I would appreciate your help.
Today’s two requests are precisely the kind of food and dressings that supermarkets don’t donate and that pantry banks don’t carry.
They are much loved and desired by the people who come to the pantry looking for help.
We’d love to fill up these shelves; please help if you and the people who come to the food pantry wish you to know they are grateful.
I believe that word has gotten out about how well the food pantry is now stocked with items that people want, but can’t afford to buy. To me it suggests why the pantry is seeing more clients. Many of the items they request can usually be bought with “food stamps” in local grocery stores. Tide, and any other non consumables can’t be bought through the SNAP program. Hence the need for it on the shelves.
Most pantries carry the basics that’ll feed you, lots of rice and other high carb foods. Not so many fresh vegetables or meat.
Thanks Holly for your thoughts. Food Pantry use is skyrocketing all over the country in some places much more than Cambridge. They are all under great strain we’re just helping, I’m very proud of it. Their numbers were growing rapidly before we were involved. Food Pantrys across America report a 75 per cent increase this year over last year at this time. They will continue to grow until the cost of food declines. Hunger is a serious problem in the world’s richest country. SNAP is not coming close to handling the affordable food crisis, nor is the program accepted everywhere, and no, many of these items are not available everywhere for the poor. SNAP is not a free ride.