Holiday season heating up at Ecumenical Food Pantry

This holiday season is shaping up to be one of the busiest in recent memory at the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Milford as more families than ever are coming in for assistance.

People may think they know what food insecurity looks like, but unless you’ve had to miss a meal or limit meals for family members, one can’t know the fear, anger, or frustration involved. In the food pantry’s 33rd year, it is serving an increasing number of families every week. In October, the pantry says it provided supplemental groceries for 299 family visits. This covered 403 adults, 206 seniors, and 287 children.

Temporary or long-term health problems, job loss, family crisis, low wages or sudden unexpected expenses can put families at risk for food insecurity. Guests count on the Ecumenical Food Pantry for groceries, both fresh and shelf-stable, to help with their food needs and by collaborating with other groups and programs, Ecumenical has been able to more than just provide meals.

Resume the Community Lunch Program
The monthly community lunches, in collaboration with Good Shepherd Church, have resumed. The lunches are held the third Thursday of each month and are open to anyone looking for good conversation, good food, and good companionship.

Distribute school supplies
Over 70 learning kits were given out to families with young children, created, packed and donated by members of Milford United Methodist Church. The kits contained pens, pencils, pencil cases, glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils and markers, construction and lined paper, notebooks and more.

Help with internet access
The newly created Federal Affordable Connectivity Program covers the bill for low-cost internet service. There are eligibility requirements, but families receiving SNAP benefits meet them. Volunteers offered information and assistance and now many guests are successfully enrolled!

Who the pantry serves
Opportunities for students and adults to volunteer are available and the pantry also supports pets through donated pet foods. The pantry estimates that about 10% of area residents are living at or below the federal poverty level and one in six children are facing food insecurity.

Food pantry stories
The food pantry recently shared the following first-person stories of those who needed a helping hand:

B. is a widower in his 80s whose savings were exhausted by his wife’s long and final illness. He struggled to cover rent, utilities, transportation and food bills with his limited Social Security income.

J. is a single mom in her 40s working multiple part-time jobs to cover living expenses and put food on the table for her and her young son.

And, in another guest’s own words: “I don’t usually ask for help but I’m getting to the point where I’m in need of more food. I receive food stamps and have four kids but the price of everything is so high. How do I go about getting help from you guys if possible?”

Thanksgiving brings gratitude
This year, the food pantry provided 139 families with a turkey and bags loaded with the traditional fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner, including stuffing, gravy, mashed and sweet potatoes, rolls, vegetables, eggs, butter, milk, and more.

In addition, the pantry received help from Milford police who closed 5th Street so food could be distributed safely and efficiently.

Can you help?
Donations can be made online using the donate button on the pantry’s Facebook page or by making a check payable to the Ecumenical Food Pantry and mailed to the Ecumenical Food Pantry, 321 Fifth St., Milford, PA, 18337.