COLUMBUS, Ind. — COVID-19 stimulus checks and icy, wintry weather have combined to cause local residents’ food demand to dip slightly in this early part of the year, area food bank operators say.
They surmise that the government assistance allowed many households to stretch dollars recently, and that the recent snow and ice kept especially older residents stretching their own food supply and away from the Love Chapel food pantry, the Salvation Army pantry, and the one at the Community Center of Hope.
Leaders of all three agencies say they have remained fairly well stocked — and are grateful for upcoming events such as Saturday’s Empty Bowls and the annual Canstruction, also slated Saturday. Both events benefit area food pantries and pantry operators have long lauded the timely assistance they say becomes a huge help in what they sometimes term a slight lull after residents’ strong support during the holidays.
The Salvation Army pantry demand is down about 15 percent since January, compared to 2020, said Nancy Johnson, the outreach’s social service manager. Because of the pandemic, Salvation Army staff and volunteers still are sacking a variety of food for pantry visitors, rather than allowing them to personally select items.
“I think people have just worked to make everything last a little longer,” Johnson said.
Johnson mentioned that some of their clients may not be readily aware that they can send others to pick up food for them, as long as those substitutes bring all the vital household information that clients must bring.
At Love Chapel, the county’s biggest pantry, executive director Kelly Daugherty said the food supply has been solid amid a slight drop in household numbers served.
“Since the latest stimulus checks came out and the new unemployment benefits, it’s really dropped off again,” Daugherty said. “Last time that happened last year, demand eventually came back with a vengeance. And then it was really busy the last four months of the year.”
Shelves have remained well-stocked, he said.
“Our supply has helped up really well (since January),” Daugherty said.
Love Chapel also benefited from the recent Love Songs For Love Chapel radio fundraiser.
“We feel like we’re in really good shape getting ready to head into the second quarter,” Daugherty said. “And who knows exactly what we may face heading into the summer months? But we’re hoping that some of this pandemic stuff will be past us by then.
“Actually, I feel more secure right now about where we are than I have in a long time.”
At the pantry at the Community Center of Hope, demand also has dipped slightly from the usual 65 to 75 households served, according to administrative assistant Ashley Mack.
“Our supply has remained pretty solid recently because the community has really strongly supported us,” Mack said. “We’ve stayed pretty steady with a couple weeks that were slower than what I would call our new normal. And I think some of that factor has been due to the weather.”
