A 'great need': Southeast Ohio food pantries work to meet new demand amid inflation

SOUTH ZANESVILLE — Feeding families in need isn't new for the staff and volunteers at the South Zanesville Food Pantry.

Demand skyrocketed when the pandemic first hit in March of 2020, but after the economy began to recover, operations lulled back to normal.

But there's a new challenge for the pantry. Inflation is causing grocery prices to rise to new levels, just as working people are getting back on their feet following two years of economic instability.

"When people started getting money and extra food stamps, it kind of backed off. But our numbers have increased a lot now," said Joyce Krouskoupf, South Zanesville Food Pantry director. "We’re seeing a great need — we’re getting new families every day that we’re open."

South Zanesville Food Pantry's story isn't unique. Other Southeast Ohio pantries are also reporting higher demand as food prices continue to go up.

Canal Lewisville United Methodist Church was also seeing an ease in demand with extended access to the federal SNAP program amid the pandemic. Around 100 families a month were seeking services at that point, closer to pre-COVID levels.

Now, it's upwards of 150.

"When you’re talking about an almost 50% increase over the last two years, that’s substantial," Pastor Wesley George said.

With inflation, food pantries stay busy

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective, a food bank that sells directly to pantries across 20 central Ohio counties, is reporting an uptick in need this year.

In January through April 2022, the food bank helped 297,581 individuals, up 7.5% in the same time period in 2021.

Pantries in Muskingum, Coshocton and Guernsey counties all rely on those low prices to ensure their communities' needs are being met. Fewer public donations are coming in due to high prices for consumers.

There are also far fewer options for those seeking the pantries' services. While providing food is top priority, Salvation Army Cambridge Corps also tries to get donations of taxable personal items, like shampoo, toothpaste and soap.

Facebook callouts to the community have helped get food and personal items into the hands of those in need, but donating may be a tough choice for the rest of the public also feeling the pain of inflation, said Candy McMillen, Salvation Army Cambridge Corps captain.

"I think it’s going to be a little bit of a bigger decision whether they donate or save it for a need," McMillen said. "I think that’s going to affect it more — their desire is not going to go away, but their ability may be stretched a little bit."

South Zanesville continues to see more and more seniors coming in who are on fixed incomes. It's a similar story at Canal Lewisville UMC, which offers more costly fresh produce to supplement the food pantries who typically only have dry and canned goods.

But with no end to inflation in sight, pantries are preparing for even more need in the communities they serve.

Mid-Ohio sees futures challenges as prices rise. The food bank sells food to the pantries, which distribute them directly to communities. Rising grocery prices across the board means costs are going up for what they're selling, too.

"We all see the same thing when we walk into the grocery store. Some foods are not available while others are much more expensive," Mid-Ohio Senior VP of Communications Mike Hochran said.

Mid-Ohio provides many items like fresh produce at no-cost and other shelf-stable items at the same cost it pays.

Fewer options are also available to pantries, which has a direct impact on those seeking their services.

McMillen is reporting fewer options for milk at the Salvation Army. South Zanesville puts together food boxes, but they're containing less variety as the inflationary trend continues.

Because Salvation Army relies on monetary and public item donations to pay for food from the Mid-Ohio Food Bank and stock its shelves, McMillen said it may be a harder ask for donations from the community as prices remain so unstable.

Still, she remains optimistic that the community will show out for this year's Red Kettle drive and make a difference.

"We dropped our goal during the pandemic and the community came around us and met the goal," McMillen said. "We're not too concerned about donations because we have a generous community here."

ecouch@gannett.com

740-334-3522

Twitter: @couchreporting

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Muskingum Guernsey, Coshocton food pantries try to meet new demand