More demand than supply at McCook Pantry

McCook Pantry volunteers Howard Kool, above, collects meat and Bill Marshall, canned goods, below right, to fill up bags for a patron who stopped by the pantry for food Wednesday. The pantry is looking for volunteers to help out during the afternoons, as well as donations.

Lorri Sughroue/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Food Pantry is trying to keep ahead of the game when it comes to serving the community.

This year, usage has increased by about 19%, according to a press release from the pantry. The McCook Pantry gets its food from the Food Bank of the Heartland and Walmart (Feeding America), along with local purchases and donations. But even these sources are feeling the pinch, with the Food Bank of the Heartland supplying 12% less this year.

The Pantry locally purchases such items as bread, flour, sugar, crackers, oatmeal, peanut butter and pork-and-beans. With increased food prices and sometimes those staples being unavailable at local stores or through the Food bank, the cash flow is a negative $16,772, according to the press release.

Lorri Sughroue/McCook Gazette

So donations, either food or monetary, will get them through 2023.

“Higher food prices, higher fuel prices, all those things work into it,” said Dick Neel, one of the Pantry’s coordinators, of the rising number of people using the Pantry. He also cited federal stimulus money people received last year from The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, for less people using the pantry last year and more this year.

Businesses or organizations looking for a special activity could help out with food donations. Normal pantry hours are Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m., but if another time is more convenient to drop off donations, pantry volunteers are more than willing to make other arrangements, at (308) 350-0255. Monetary contributions can be mailed to the Pantry, 509 W. First Street, McCook, NE 69001 or left at the Pantry.

Another component of the Pantry coordinators are looking for in the future is expanding their volunteer base. For years, a steady crew of senior citizens, most in their 70s and 80s, have been manning the operation. But at some point, they won’t be able to, said Fran Allacher, Pantry coordinator. It takes about 160 volunteer hours per week to operate the Pantry and there are a variety of slots to be filled, she said. Those interested in helping out can call her at (308) 340-1449.

More about the McCook Pantry:

— Families and individuals are limited to picking up food once a month at the pantry. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church donates the space and utilities and the Pantry assists with the electrical bill.

— An estimated 1,100 different families in McCook and surrounding areas have been served by the Pantry at least one time during the past 12 months.

— 2,344 family units (comprised of 8,514 people) came through the door in 2021 using the guideline of one time per month.

— There were 406 recorded instances of individuals, organizations and churches bringing in food for 2021 and 191 monetary donations.

— Food offered to pantry customers, as available, are: corn, green beans; cold cereal/oatmeal; one package of sugar; dry pasta; bread/other bread or rolls; crackers; two pounds flour; rice and dry beans; margarine; canned fruit; pork and beans; macaroni and cheese; eggs; meat; soup; peanut butter and two to three miscellaneous items.