Shelves harder to fill at Bloomington-area food pantries as they prepare for Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving box from Pantry 279 given out today would have gravy, salt and pepper and a turkey.

That's why organizer Cindy Chavez is sending out pleas for help in securing everything from canned corn to boxes of cornbread mix and stuffing for between 2,200 to 2,500 families. This is how many Thanksgiving boxes the Ellettsville food pantry expects to distribute between Nov. 12 and 19.

"We have zero mashed potatoes, stuffing, canned cranberry sauce, yams, corn," she said.

In previous years, Chavez said the pantry has had trouble finding enough turkeys. This year, Hoosier Hills Food Bank provided the turkeys. But cans of green beans and cream of mushroom soup, pie filling and pie crust mixes are missing.

Dried goods are missing from the shelves at Mother Hubbard's Cupboard as well. There are packages of mixed nuts and berries, boxes of plant butter and mac and cheese, as well as bins of potatoes and sweet potatoes, but it's difficult to fill in around them some days, according to president and CEO Megan Betz.

"It's been a really challenging year," Betz said, adding people have been generous throughout COVID by donating items or money, with some sharing what they received in tax credits.

But that has ended.

"Now we're seeing what happens when all that starts drying up," Betz said, explaining that food stamp benefits have returned to normal levels just as the cost of utilities, groceries and gasoline are increasing.

"For our folks, it's hitting extra hard," Betz said. "They're asking, 'How often can I come? How much can I take?' We strive to be a low barrier pantry and we allow them to take what they need for their family. Some days the pantry is able to look really well-stocked and some days it isn't."

Betz said local farmers and the Farm to Family Fund that supply local produce have been instrumental in keeping fresh food available.

Food box deliveries:Project Dash delivers food to people within 10 miles of Ellettsville's Pantry 279

Even with the increasing need, both Betz and Chavez credited Hoosier Hills Food Bank, which supplies food to pantries and food kitchens in six counties, including Monroe. Julio Alonso, executive director at Hoosier Hills Food Bank, said the need from the agencies the food bank serves has "skyrocketed since early spring and it hasn't leveled off yet." At the same time, the level of support that was given over the past two years has fallen off.

Figures provided by Alonso show at 26% increase in the number of people served from the third quarter of 2021 (35,410) to the third quarter of 2022 (44,738). There's also been a 30% increase in the number of people served from the first quarter of 2022 (34,279) to the third quarter.

One of the first indications that food insecurity was increasing was with the Fresh Friday program, Alonso said. In 2021, about 400 households were served each Friday. This year, the first one had 600 families show up. Then it was 800 households. The average has been well over 700 households for the year, he said.

Alonso said Hoosier Hills Food Bank is facing the same issues as the agencies it serves. This year's food purchasing budget was $290,000. The food bank has already spent more than $793,000, including more than $100,000 on Thanksgiving turkeys, gravy and potatoes.

"We have little else on hand right now and we're looking at purchases very carefully and only as we receive additional funding," Alonso said. "The food supply is kind of grim, to be honest."

Alonso said the food bank currently has tuna and cereal "on the way," but is need of all the food that's usually part of Thanksgiving holiday meals. "Those items are in demand for us as well because we're trying to get them out to nearly 100 agencies."

Alonso and Chavez have both noticed new faces in line to receive food, including more senior citizens.

Where to get help:More than 25 locations in Monroe County offer food to people in need

At Pantry 279, Chavez said some people who once donated are now requesting Thanksgiving boxes.

"I have notes, 'I'm really sorry but we're struggling this year.' When your donors are in line for the Thanksgiving boxes how are you supposed to get the donations for the Thanksgiving boxes?" Chavez said.

The financial struggle has led some people to remove their names from the list for Thanksgiving boxes, Chavez said. "We've had some people from out of town call and cancel because they can't afford the gas." People from Bowling Green, Cloverdale, Bloomfield and Bedford, many of whom are elderly, have canceled, Chavez said. Currently, there are about 2,100 families on the list with about 80% living in Monroe County.

Another kind of Thanksgiving meal at Community Kitchen

While most food agencies are handing out the cans, boxes and fresh produce for people to create their own meal, it's a hot meal already prepared and ready to eat that's served at Community Kitchen of Monroe County. Executive Director Vicki Pierce said Community Kitchen hasn't yet requested food items or help for Thanksgiving. That begins in early November, she said.

"We are looking for Thanksgiving food," she said, adding that Hoosier Hills Food Bank has supplied turkeys. "We are still asking for turkeys because we will use them throughout the year."

Pierce expects to serve about 300,000 meals total in 2022. But since Community Kitchen often has a delay when people experience more food insecurity, Pierce estimates that in 2023, Community Kitchen will have a record high for the meals it serves at its two locations and through its food truck and summer programs.

"I expect another double-digit increase next year," she said, adding that estimate is based on figures from the recession in 2007-08. "When that happened, our numbers started to rise significantly in 2010."

Pierce said Community Kitchen often serves a different group than the food pantries. "A lot of the folks who eat here, some of them are unhoused. Some of them don't have the capacity (to cook)." Others want not only a hot meal, but also the camaraderie of being with others.

More about agencies and how to help

For more details on the times and food being served at Community Kitchen, 1515 S. Rogers St., for Thanksgiving go to https://bit.ly/3NgQB4e or check out the agency's Facebook and Instagram accounts.

For Pantry 279, go to online to pantry279.org or check out their Facebook page for the latest. Cash and food donations are accepted and volunteers are needed for the holidays and beyond. The pantry is at 501 E. Temperance St., Ellettsville.

Mother Hubbard's Cupboard can be reached at mhcfoodpantry.org or by calling 812-355-6843 or 812-399-5887. The Hub is at 1100 W. Allen St.

Hoosier Hills Food Bank can be reached online at hhfoodbank.org, or by calling 812-334-8374 or emailing hhfb@hhfoodbank.org. The food bank is at 2333 W. Industrial Park Drive.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Providing Thanksgiving meals looks challenging for area pantries