Aberdeen food pantry launches funding drive - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

By Ray Van Dusen

Monroe Journal

ABERDEEN – For 2016 to date, 3,267 families have been served by Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, with 92 percent of that figure being families on three people. Overall, 37 percent of the people served by the food pantry are 60 and older.

“More than a third of them are over 60. We have served 84 clients over 85 years old this year,” said Lloyd Massey, director of Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. “We’re still seeing an increase and are gaining about 10 new people per month.”

Massey said most of the people served by the food pantry average $40 per month in food stamps benefits. The food pantry supplies free pre-made boxes of food, valued between $60 and $70 from a grocery store, during its distribution days.

Loaves and Fishes also offers a grocery store for participants 70 and older and also those who are physically disabled. Currently, 150 people are served by the food pantry’s grocery store, and volunteers want to serve more needy people.

To meet the rising demand to provide food to those in need, the pantry is currently launching a funding drive.

“Cans are always appreciated, but monetary donations go further with our inventory. We may have an ample supply of certain items, but the funding gives us the chance to identify the need of inventory that is short on hand and use it for the needed purchases,” said Cindy Comer, the food pantry’s warehouse manager.

Massey said whereas someone can purchase six cans of food from a grocery store for $6, the food pantry can purchase a case of 24 cans for the same price through food banks.

The food pantry has five full-time volunteers and 25 volunteers on distribution days, and no one is paid, so all donations go directly to the food pantry.

For November, the only pick-up dates are Nov. 16 and 17 from 8 until 11 a.m. for senior citizens boxes and Nov. 18 and 19 from 8 until 10 a.m. for regular family boxes.

For December, seniors can pick up boxes Dec. 14 and 15 from 8 until 11 a.m., and regular family boxes will be distributed Dec. 16 and 17 from 8 until 10 a.m.

The monetary donation drive is ongoing past the holiday season.

“People are always hungry, not just during the holidays,” Massey said.

Anyone wishing to make donations can go to http://ift.tt/2dCJd0X or mail a check to Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry; P.O. Box 545; Aberdeen, MS 39730.