August 2, 2024— The new value of community pantries
Food pantries have traditionally been known to help those in dire need such as the unhoused or low income families . More recently, those who find themselves in need has expanded to include those who once lived comfortably until the effects of inflation impacted their food security.
According to a Greater Chicago Food Depository report from March 2024, food costs rose by 10% year-over-year, marking the first double-digit increase in prices since 1981. This sharp increase follows two years of rising food costs as a result of production and logistics delays brought on by the pandemic. These concerning trends are affecting over 10% of the population. In a related trend known as “shrink-flation,” food producers reduce the weight or size of their products while keeping pricing level resulting in consumers needing to by more of their usual staples. Inflation and Shrink-flation together have negatively impacted the ability for millions of families to buy enough food to meet their nutritional needs, exacerbating the food insecurity crisis in our communities. As inflation rises and food portions shrink, demand for food pantries to supplement to help put food on the table.
St. Jude League supports a number of very important Claretian-led community-based food pantry programs that provide vital resources to help feed an ever increasing number of families in need. These food pantries are often located in areas known as “food deserts,” which are primarily lower-income and underserved areas where basic necessities are often overlooked. Without the pantry’s help, the residents of those neighborhoods cannot access the healthful food they need.
Active food pantries and kitchens in the St. Jude League network of supported programs include:
- St. Anthony Mary Claret Parish (Fresno, California)
- San Gabriel Mission Food Pantry (San Gabriel, California)
- Our Lady of Fatima Food Pantry (Perth Amboy, New Jersey)
- St. Joseph Parish (Jersey City, New Jersey)
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (Chicago, Illinois)
To better understand the needs of food pantries and those they serve, the Community Development team recently met with volunteer Vanessa Molina who has been in charge of Our Lady of Guadalupe food pantry for nearly 18 years. Vanessa shared that the OLG pantry serves roughly 60 people every first and third Thursday of the month. She says what makes them stand out from other pantries is that along with canned food, produces and snacks, they offer various toiletries and hygiene products. The OLG pantry is grateful to receive donations from different parishes , OLG school, League supporters and anyone who is willing to help.
“We’re here for the community, we’re here to say a prayer and I thank god for letting us serve, allowing us to be his eyes, ears, mouth and hands for others,” shared Vanessa.
Food pantries have always been important but today’s challenging economy has created additional need for and added a new value to them.
St. Jude League supports a comprehensive network of food pantries which provide vital food resources for their communities. Our goal is to not only help with food insecurity in marginalized communities in need but to ease the lives of those struggling to choose to pay a bill or eat well.We thank all of our supporters who take the time to understand how we support our programs and believe in our mission of hope.
Your spirit of generosity changes lives, whether in a one-time or monthly donation or even starting a personal fundraiser to multiply the impact your friends and family can have. We’re grateful for each and every gift, each of which has the power to bring hope and transform lives.
