Local Food Pantries Face Rising Demand in Summer
Bryan, Texas is witnessing a startling increase in demand for food aid during the summer months. As school closes for the summer, food pantries all over the Brazos Valley are preparing for an influx of community members in need of assistance with food supplies. The economic strain brought on by inflation is expected to exacerbate the situation.
An Uptick in Demand
Pastor Sylvester Smith Jr., of the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, has spent several summers witnessing the drastic increase in demands during this season. The church operates a monthly food pantry program, where they distribute food packages to local families in need. Speaking on the effort, Pastor Smith says, “We normally begin to start packing it, getting ready for our clients to come up. We normally have this thing fully packed and it just, like I said, it gets pretty crazy on that day when we are doing that food distribution.”
“With the kids in school, they can get the lunches. Now that school is out for the summer you see more people in line.”
The Impact of Summer Break on Food Security
The cessation of school lunch programs during the summer period leaves many families strapped for resources. “A lot of people have to make a decision between medicine, food, or even gas, and then if you have more than three or four people in the home where there’s children some tough decisions have to be made,” says Pastor Smith.
Summer Hunger Food Drive
The Summer Hunger Food Drive, organized by the Brazos Valley Food Bank, is an annual initiative coinciding with the increasing demand for food supplies. The month-long drive encourages community members to donate shelf-stable food items at various donation sites around the town.
Pastor Smith emphasises the importance and potential impact of the initiative: “When we give, we give out of love. We give because we care. We never know when the tides are going to turn, that we may be the one on the other end that’s needing that support, that’s needing that help.”
Appeal for Community Support
The Summer Hunger Food Drive offers a tangible way for community members to assist their neighbors during this challenging period. By contributing items from the food bank’s shopping list to the donation sites, residents can help mitigate the food insecurity that intensifies during the summer months. Detailed information regarding the food drive and how to get involved can be found here.
Final Words
While the Summer Hunger Food Drive goes a long way in addressing food scarcity, the increased demand during the summer highlights the ongoing need for assistance. The pandemic-induced inflation exacerbates the situation, making the efforts of local food pantries and the support from the community more critical than ever.