WAHOO – The Saunders County Food Pantry shelves are looking a bit sparse, following an increase of usage and decreased donations.
Food Pantry Coordinator Ron Bartek said the emergency food pantry that services individuals in Saunders County has experienced more usage than what’s been normal in the last couple years.
And donations are not following the trend.
“The shelves are fairly bare right now,” Bartek said.
The pantry is averaging between 20 and 25 people per month, he said.
Bartek guessed that cooler temperatures forcing families to turn on their heat and seasonal workers experiencing layoffs results in a greater need for food assistance.
He said the food pantry’s staples are even running low.
“We are not that far from having to buy our first soup in the last seven to eight years,” he said.
According to the Saunders County Ministerial Association President Don White, it’s impossible to attribute one single factor to an increased usage. The food pantry is a program administered by the ministerial association.
“There’s certain months where there is a spike and others a lull,” White said.
While donations have seemed to reach a plateau, White is not too alarmed.
“Usually this is a time of year when people really start to donate,” he said. “Now through the end of the year is typically when we receive the lion’s share of donations that we get.”
He added that the food pantry is not a beneficiary of the Wahoo Area Community Chest, as donations are typically sufficient to meet the pantry’s needs.
To receive food pantry assistance, individuals may call any church in the area.
White said 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday is generally the best time to get into contact for assistance.
Nonperishable food items may be donated and dropped off at the Wahoo Civic Center. Monetary donations can be made to the Saunders County Food Pantry at First National Bank in Wahoo.
