“Feed the 40203.” St. Vincent de Paul Louisville’s Food Pantry has lived out that mantra since July 2014. Inside this footprint are many folks—single parents, teenagers, children, Veterans, and seniors—who depend on us to help put food on the table every month.
“This helps out a lot. It’s wonderful. Without this, my daughter and I wouldn’t make it through the month,” said James, who rides his bike to the Food Pantry from his nearby government housing residence. “I’m grateful for everything you all do for us. We count on you all towards the end of the month. The price of food has gone up … The food stamps we get doesn’t cover everything.”
This month, the 100% volunteer-run Food Pantry celebrates 10 years. The relationship between our long-time volunteers and clients is second to none.
“I just lost all my food stamps. Literally, this is the only food I have right now,” said Susan, who comes to the Food Pantry with her mom. “It’s always amazing. Just the way people are. Everybody is always so happy. I’ve been to other places where the volunteers almost look angry to even be there to help you … Not just that, this is the only place I know that has the table where you leave behind what items you’re not going to use … people will get in their bags and start trading.”
Newer volunteer, Ruby Sekhon. echoes that sentiment. He wanted to serve the community after retirement in 2021, and has found a home here at SVDP because of the volunteer and client camaraderie.
“You won’t be able to tear me away from this place. The power that this place gives me, I get goosebumps just thinking about it. I see the same spirit in all the volunteers,” Sekhon said. “There’s so much positive energy here. I’m humbled by their devotion and dedication of service for so many years. I’m getting more help out of here than I’m helping others. If you have a purpose bigger than yourself, it’s very rewarding.”
Over the last decade, the Food Pantry has given groceries to more than 51,000 households (see infographic).
“I’m impressed with the fresh fruit and vegetables offered,” said Susan Kinny, who started volunteering around the pandemic. “I want to see our community get healthy. Food affects a lot of the other areas of our lives.”
Every Tuesday and Thursday clients receive fresh produce, frozen meats, poultry, fish, and pantry staples. They must live in the 40203 zip code or currently live on campus.
Ernest, a 72-year-old Veteran living at Waypoint, uses the Food Pantry. He is one of nearly 500 Veterans who received groceries from the Food Pantry from Jan. to May 2024.
Old Louisville neighbors Ginger and Kevin have been coming to the Food Pantry for about a year.
“It helps a lot, especially at the end of the month. Meat is so high. It costs $25 to feed a family of four,” Ginger said. “The personal hygiene items like dish and laundry detergent are also helpful.”
“The food is good. The volunteers are wonderful,” Kevin added.
“It’s such a friendly place and the people are so appreciative of what is here,” said Paulette Roberson, who serves at the Food Pantry check-in window.
Volunteer Jim Thomas, a member of SVDP’s St. Albert the Great Conference, has served since the Food Pantry started.
“I enjoy it very much. It’s very fulfilling and I’ve met friends that I assume will be friends for life, as far as the other volunteers go,” Thomas said. “It’s got to be a great help to come down here … Sometimes when clients leave here, they can’t carry it all because they have so much.”
Clients receive roughly $50 worth of groceries, often carrying four or more bags filled with food as they leave. Still, it’s not always enough.
“The people who are getting hurt are the middle- to low-income households. We as volunteers give financially and of our time to this place, and it is sad to see the need increasing,” said Joe Marini, a longtime volunteer who has regularly picked up bread from grocery stores or restaurants to keep the Food Pantry stocked.
Though food is a basic need, not everyone has regular access to it:
- In the Louisville Metro area, nearly one in eight households suffer from food insecurity.
- According to the USDA, the rate of food insecurity rose from 10% in 2021 to nearly 13% in 2022. That’s the highest rate increase since the Great Recession. Grocery prices are now 25% higher than in Jan. 2020.
- Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” study shows nearly 102,000 people are food insecure in Jefferson County, including one out of every five children.
For nearly a decade, LaTiya has lived with her three children in the East Family Apartments on our Shelby Park campus.
“It takes a lot of the burden off for my family and a lot of the people in the community because of the food and laundry detergent you get,” LaTiya said. “It helps make ends meet so that it’s not a big struggle.”
This program is financially supported by in-kind donations of food and donations from individuals, SVDP conferences, and corporations.
If you would like more information about donating to or volunteerring at the Food Pantry, visit www.svdplou.org/donate-now/.
Tony Nochim
Source: https://www.svdplou.org/
Thanks for the dedication and commitment to assist the less privileged in your community! We pray for more donors to come and support your initiative. God richly bless you all.