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Oftentimes, food pantries are the last line of defense tackling food insecurity in communities and providing a safety net for individuals and families struggling to make ends meet.The Neighborhood Center of South Lake serves the South Lake County population.The need in this area has only been on the rise post-COVID, but the food pantry said it is being stretched so thin that cuts are having to be made.For example, decreases in the amount of children served food (breakfast, lunch and a snack) during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks from 700-750 kids down to 500.“With the expense of ordering more food to feed our families that are walking through the door, and with the higher food cost, our dollars don’t go as far,” said CEO Patricia Kry.Kry said the pantry has seen a five percent increase in clientele this year alone, and that’s before federal workers are included.The long-stretching government shutdown has left many, like workers at Coleman Prison or at Orlando International Airport, unpaid.“We field numerous calls a day from federal workers asking how can they get help? How can they feed their family?” Kry said. “They are searching for anything that can keep them afloat during this time.” When you combine the federal workers who are not receiving paychecks with the already struggling families who rely on SNAP benefits, Kry said the situation is dire.“We’ve been doing this for 53 years but we’ve never done it in such a climate of need as we’re in currently right now,” she said.Year to date, the Neighborhood Center of South Lake has made:18,825 house visitsFed 80,596 individualsDistributed 1.2 million pounds of foodProvided 95,000 meals to children on school breaksKry said individuals, families and businesses are all feeling the pinch of inflation which has led to higher grocery costs.“Price of milk has gone up, eggs have gone up, bread has gone up and also beef has gone up tremendously,” said Don Arbital, a Clermont retiree. “Just the basic is hard for families to have.” Kry is asking the community to donate money or time as the need worsens. You can find out more on their website.
Oftentimes, food pantries are the last line of defense tackling food insecurity in communities and providing a safety net for individuals and families struggling to make ends meet.
The Neighborhood Center of South Lake serves the South Lake County population.
The need in this area has only been on the rise post-COVID, but the food pantry said it is being stretched so thin that cuts are having to be made.
For example, decreases in the amount of children served food (breakfast, lunch and a snack) during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks from 700-750 kids down to 500.
“With the expense of ordering more food to feed our families that are walking through the door, and with the higher food cost, our dollars don’t go as far,” said CEO Patricia Kry.
Kry said the pantry has seen a five percent increase in clientele this year alone, and that’s before federal workers are included.
The long-stretching government shutdown has left many, like workers at Coleman Prison or at Orlando International Airport, unpaid.
“We field numerous calls a day from federal workers asking how can they get help? How can they feed their family?” Kry said. “They are searching for anything that can keep them afloat during this time.”
When you combine the federal workers who are not receiving paychecks with the already struggling families who rely on SNAP benefits, Kry said the situation is dire.
“We’ve been doing this for 53 years but we’ve never done it in such a climate of need as we’re in currently right now,” she said.
Year to date, the Neighborhood Center of South Lake has made:
- 18,825 house visits
- Fed 80,596 individuals
- Distributed 1.2 million pounds of food
- Provided 95,000 meals to children on school breaks
Kry said individuals, families and businesses are all feeling the pinch of inflation which has led to higher grocery costs.
“Price of milk has gone up, eggs have gone up, bread has gone up and also beef has gone up tremendously,” said Don Arbital, a Clermont retiree. “Just the basic is hard for families to have.”
Kry is asking the community to donate money or time as the need worsens. You can find out more on their website.
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