It is a busy time of the year for the Lincon City Food Pantry, which is helping to feed nearly 400 people each month.
“There is always someone who needs help,” Lincoln City Food Pantry Manager Tilly Miller said. “There is an increase in the number of people who don’t have a way to cook their food. We have to be mindful of that. This is a very fluid community, so people often come in and out of the community. We serve plenty of homeless folks.”
Depending on the size of the family, Miller said folks are allowed to take what they need while visiting the Food Pantry, located at 1505 NE 6th Drive in Lincoln City. The facility is open from 2 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday.
“We try to give people four days worth of food,” she said. “Each household is allowed to visit the pantry once per month. The majority of the people who visit the pantry have jobs and homes, they just have difficulty making it all work.”
Miller said the pantry also serves many local seniors who are on fixed incomes.
The pantry is transitioning from paperless registration to electronic registration, which Miller said is making their process to serve those in need much more efficient.
The Oregon Food Bank supplies much of the pantry’s food. Miller said she often shops at local grocery stores for food as needed for the pantry, which helps the pantry offer a gluten-free section, sugar-free items and produce.
Funding to support the Lincoln City Food Pantry comes from donations and grants, including a grant from the City of Lincoln City, Miller said. The Coast Vineyard Church assumed responsibility for the Lincoln City Food Pantry 10 years ago.
“We have at least 20 volunteers from all over the area helping out,” she said. “The food pantry is very useful community resource. Folks are provided good food that allows them to worry about one less thing.”
For more information about the Lincoln City Food Pantry, call 541-994-3699.
