Our Common Cupboard food pantry is struggling to stock its shelves as the
number of people seeking help this summer continues to rise.
The
summer months are traditionally tough on food pantries, but the
Cupboard is experiencing a more than 30 percent increase in the
number of families it's serving since this time last year. WOW!
Did you know that our Common Cupboard at Mill Grove walk-in food pantry on
Monday evenings is currently the only
regularly-scheduled
federal
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in Union County?
That
Hemby Bridge site alone is providing a week's worth of groceries for
an average of 70 families each week – an increase of more than 20
families per week than the same time last year. The number of monthly
food deliveries from the Cupboard has increased too.
During
the summer, food drives often decrease just as more families seek
help with feeding children who don't have free or reduced meal
options through local schools. Even Second Harvest Food Bank –
where we acquire a large portion of food as a partner
agency – is having trouble keeping up with demand in their
19-county service area.
Sometimes
we aren't able to find some of the staples we need at Second Harvest.
They're facing the strain of trying to serve so many counties
experiencing the same thing that we are. Though
we've had a tremendous response from local residents recently, we're
way behind in what we need. We need the public's help to continue to
feed our neighbors in need.
Urgent
needs are: Pasta,
pasta sauce (cans or plastic containers preferred), cereal, canned
tuna or other meats, soups, canned fruit and veggies, beans and rice.
Cash donations are also being accepted to allow us to
purchase food from local stores.
To donate, visit
http://TheCommonplace.org
or donate in person at Common Things
Thrift Store, 321 Indian Trail Road North, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tues. to Sat.
Nonperishable
food donations can be dropped off at Common Things from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. Tues. to Sat. or at the Cupboard, 116 Business Park Drive, suite
A, Wed. to Fri. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or Sat. 9 a.m. to noon.
THANK YOU!
