Inflation, extra clientele hitting Clay County meals pantry exhausting

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – This week, the cabinets have been well-stocked on the Meals Pantry of Inexperienced Cove Springs. However as its director, Wynema Lovell explains, it may be hit and miss lately.

“Final week, or the week earlier than, it was unhappy in right here, it was so empty,” Lovell stated. “So, it is feast or famine on this job.”

Lovell is the pantry’s director and says up to now this yr, the pantry has helped 1,157 households. For all of 2021, the pantry helped 699. The pantry helps households all through Clay County, together with Fleming Island, Inexperienced Cove Springs, Penney Farms, and Orange Park.

Lovell says donations have additionally dropped, and the cash that’s donated is not going so far as it used to on the grocery retailer. Lovell says she was floored at how a lot was spent on the latest purchasing journey.

“The final time they went, it was $10,000,” Lovell stated. “I do not understand how a lot that might’ve been previously, however I do not assume it could’ve been that a lot.”

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Lovell says earlier than the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pantry was serving its shoppers 4 occasions a yr. With the group’s beneficiant donations, it started serving shoppers month-to-month. Lovell says her greatest concern is that if issues do not get higher, the pantry could must cut back these month-to-month meals occasions. Jean Cosby is assistant director and says donations are badly wanted.

“We want a lot meals that we’re reaching out to anybody and everyone,” Cosby stated. “Financial donations in addition to the meals.”

No matter what occurs, the crew is staying optimistic.

“I at all times say, God has at all times seemed out for the meals pantry, and He’ll proceed,” Lovell stated. “And we are going to survive, and we won’t have to show anybody away.”

Each donation can assist. Canned items are at all times welcome, in addition to pasta and different objects. The pantry additionally accepts cash. For extra info on how one can assist, click on right here

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The pantry’s Fb web page can also be a helpful useful resource to be taught extra.