Local food pantry launches new program

The Hunger Free Food Pantry (HFFP), in recent months, has seen a steady increase in the need for supplementary food support in Eddy County. Due to this increase, the food pantry shelves have become more bare.

So, they are trying something new called "Item of the Month." By raising community awareness of some of the higher consumable needs of the food pantry, and inviting the community to donate these items, they hope to increase their food inventory.

In early May, food pantry volunteers met and discussed both current needs and future goals of the food pantry. It was noted that the food boxes they pack and distribute have recently been more difficult to fill.

Many standard food items are not regularly available from Great Plains Food Bank – their primary supplier which is in Fargo. HFFP orders food just one time per month, and that food must last until the next delivery.

With more households in need of supplementing their groceries, the food pantry shelves can look bare, depending on the time of the month.

At their recent meeting, the food pantry volunteers brainstormed ideas and created a list of staple food items that are typically included in the food boxes, foods that most households would happily consume.

Then they assigned those items to a monthly schedule, doubling up on a few items due to the high demand. Their hope is that the generous people of Eddy County will pay attention to the monthly designation and grab an extra item or two the next time they're at the store.

Monetary donations are, of course, welcomed year-round. During the months of August and December, there will be a specific focus on donating money toward two special programs that support school-aged children.

One of which is "Second Helpings," a program for students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches at the school. This program covers the cost of a second helping, filling the kids up, and helping with better focus for the remainder of the day.

The other is the "Backpack Program" which provides a bag of food to students each week. This usually consists of a couple breakfast options, a few main meal options, and a few snacks to provide nutrition over the weekend.

The "Item of the Month" for May is boxed meals (Hamburger Helper, pasta packets, or boxed rice dishes). Donations can be dropped off at First Lutheran Church (home of the HFFP) during office hours, which are 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

If you need supplemental food support, please visit the HFFP. They are open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 – 2 p.m.

If you would like to learn more about the Hunger Free Food Pantry or how you can help, please contact the First Lutheran Church office.

Listed below is the new "Item of the Month" list for Eddy County.

• January – Cereal

• February – Peanut butter and jelly

• March – Mac 'n cheese

• April – Juice

• May – Boxed meals

• June – Peanut butter & jelly

• July – Cereal

• August – Monetary donation to "second helpings" program

• September – Mac 'n cheese

• October – Stuffing mix (for Christmas boxes)

• November – Pie filling (for Christmas boxes)

• December – Monetary donations to "backpack program"