Spartanburg food banks see long lines due to rising cost of groceries and lingering COVID

Joann West started coming to the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen about one week ago. She said she was recently evicted and was struggling to figure out a plan for herself and her grandchildren.

"We've been looking for a place to live. Even the motels are full," West said. "Nobody is moving out and we've been looking all week. I've been to three homeless shelters and they're all full."

Organizers at both the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen and TOTAL Ministries said they have seen a recent surge in those in need of meals. Traci Kennedy, executive director of Total Ministries, said her non-profit, along with other Spartanburg food banks, are running out of food to supply families.

Kennedy said the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, rising food prices and the effects of rising gas prices this year have continued to create more demand for their assistance.

"We are slammed now and saw 20 families before 10 o'clock," Kennedy said. "We are going through food faster than we have ever gone through food before. We have a government food program that requires us to give food once a month, but even the donated food is going out quicker than it has ever gone."

Lou Sartor, director of the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen, said a staggering "75 percent more people and families are coming in after COVID."

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"When COVID started (in 2020), we've seen the numbers increase a lot," Sartor said. "We had tents outside. We were doing the carry-out plates, and it averaged over 1,000 to 1,800 plates a week.

Long lines at Spartanburg Soup Kitchen

At the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen, dozens lined up before 11 a.m. on Aug. 18 to receive a hot meal. Most walked to the location on South Forest Street. Adults and children received water and snacks as volunteers worked to prepare fresh meals.

Sartor said the soup kitchen's goal is to provide as much help as possible for the people who walk in the doors, including shoes, gas cards, hygienic products, school supplies and winter coats.

"If we can, we listen," Sartor said. "We listen to their plea and bring a resolution to them. When we moved here 10 years ago, we didn't have a clue that we would see the hunger level magnify like it has. When you come in here, there is no cost for anything. We will treat you with so much love, grace and hope."

Food banks cope with rising food prices

Kennedy said Total Ministries mainly relies on food donations through churches, schools and residents in the community. She said inflated grocery prices have affected food donations.

"We aren't seeing it [donations] as much. We're trying to get the word out that we're really in need," Kennedy said. "We've never been this busy, ever. I'm afraid it's only going to get worse."

Zulene Hess had been coming to the soup kitchen since the pandemic had occurred. Hess said that having these opportunities have helped her.

"I've been coming to the soup kitchen for about four years now. It's good food and it helps a whole lot," Hess said. "Mrs. Lou is really great. Every once in a while I'll donate something. People need food. We all come to get a hot meal."

Spartanburg volunteers make it their mission to serve

Blas Miyares has volunteered at the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen for the last four years. Miyares served eight years in the Air Force and is currently a captain for Delta Airlines. He wanted to do more to help the community and uses his free time to help others.

Miyares' family fled Cuba in 1960. He feels blessed his family made the difficult decision to leave Cuba with nothing.

"I fell in love with it, to come down here and help those in need," Miyares said. "I block off Thursdays because I want to come here and serve here. God has given me so much, so why not spend a couple of hours with the people here? It's a blessing to see the smile on people's faces when they get their hot food."

Mary and Keith Lastovica make it a mission to donate to the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen, as well as other nonprofit organizations like no-kill animal shelters.

"We want to give to those who give to the community," Mary said. "It's been 20 years [of donating] now. We donate food, clothes and furniture."

The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen relies strictly on donations. Sartor hopes the community can do its part to help.

"It would be heart-wrenching if something like this didn't exist. We accept no governmental assistance. Everything is on donations. We do all that we can to assist families," Sartor said. "We always need carry-out plates, sugar so we can make tea for our guests, oil and condiments. We want to make our guests feel like we're a home away from home."

Kennedy said she is appreciative of community support.

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Here's how you can help

TOTAL Ministries is open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday-Thursday. People can donate at later times and are asked to drop off items at the dock at the back of the facility.

The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen accepts donations daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Staff and volunteers will stay later if this will accommodate someone’s request to donate.

Food banks and soup kitchens are looking for volunteers and donations.

"We're trying to prevent it [homeless]. We're here to provide support." Kennedy said. "We love paper towels, soap, deodorant, toothpaste and all that. We love it. We take school supplies because these mamas need them. A lot of them are single moms."

Kennedy asked for the community's help to help those who cannot afford to buy their own food.

"We need soups, corn, pasta sauce, canned meats and assorted vegetables," Kennedy said. "We like to give people a meaty soup that gives people protein. Canned ravioli, helps people for a while. Something that will stick and help them for a while."

Joanna Johnson covers community news and education for the Herald-Journal. Reach her via email at jjohnson@shj.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Inflation and COVID causes Spartanburg food banks to see longer lines