Twice a week for more than 30 weeks, St. Helena volunteers have been getting together to feed the hungry.
Julie Jenanyan, who was volunteering for the St. Helena Community Food Pantry during Tuesday’s giveaway, said there’s no feeling like it in the world.
“I love giving my volunteer time to nourishing people, and this is ground zero for that,” Jenanyan said. “There’s nothing more tangible than handing someone a bag of groceries while their kid is crying in the back seat of the car.”
The number of clients fluctuate, but the food pantry typically gives food to between 45 and 60 families — more since CalFresh/SNAP food stamp benefits were cut in April.
“Those cuts, plus inflation and the price of food going up — just like at the price of eggs,” organizer Susan Davis said.
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The food pantry operates out of the St. Helena Seventh-day Adventist Church and serves clients in their vehicles.
“The people are so appreciative,” Jenanyan said. “You get a perspective on what living with less is like.”
Jim Lampkin owned a second home in St. Helena before he retired and started living here full-time two years ago. He used to help with a food bank in San Jose, so when a friend at the gym introduced him to Davis, he was happy to devote part of his Tuesdays.
“There’s a great camaraderie with the other volunteers, and you realize how much need is out there,” Lampkin said.
Clients get quality food, Lampkin said, pointing to loaves of bread from the Model Bakery, produce and desserts from Safeway, and perishables courtesy of local donors and the Napa Valley Food Bank.
During the holidays the food pantry will be handing out gift cards too.
The food pantry enjoys solid financial support from the St. Helena community, Davis said. The biggest needs are for volunteers to pack bags on Tuesday and Friday mornings, and for healthy non-perishables in small packages, since many food bank clients are single or couples.
To donate to the food pantry, send a check to P.O. Box 108, St. Helena, CA 94574. For information about how to volunteer, call Davis at 707-696-6082.
There are more than 340 million people worldwide…facing acute food insecurity some 40 million of them are already at emergency levels of hun
50 facts about food insecurity in America
More kids rely on schools for lunch
The National School Lunch Program served free or low-cost lunches to 29.4 million children every day in 2019. Free lunches are distributed to children living in households at or below 130% of the poverty level; reduced-price lunches are available to those with incomes ranching from 130% to 185% of the poverty level.
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Food insecurity is common among college students
The rates of food insecurity among college students may be anywhere from 20% to more than 50%, according to various studies conducted between 2009 and 2019. Declining resources for students, exclusion from SNAP, and limited part-time job opportunities may all contribute to hunger on college campuses.
Certain veterans are more vulnerable to food insecurity
Certain subgroups of veterans face higher rates of food insecurity. One January 2020 study found food insecurity affects 28% of female veterans, 35% of former military members who have serious mental health conditions, and 49% of vets who are or have been homeless.
There’s a difference between food banks and pantries
The terms “food bank” and “food pantry” are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different types of organizations. A food bank is a nonprofit organization that collects and stores large amounts of food to distribute to communities. A food pantry, on the other hand, is a place where needy families can go to pick up free food in their towns or cities.
It’s better to donate money than food to pantries
While it’s tempting to drop off a bag of groceries at your local food bank or pantry, giving money is often a better way of showing support. The money allows these organizations to buy food at bulk rates that the average retail customer can’t get, thus helping the dollars go farther.
You can reach Jesse Duarte at (707) 967-6803 or [email protected].
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