GRACE Pantry Manager Keith Hills sent his February Food Pantry Needs List out last week. Like nearly every other February Pantry Needs List in recent memory, it was long and covered in red highlights indicating items that are completely out of stock, and yellow highlights on those items that are running “very low.”
Keith’s message was direct: “OK…here is the list of items we need terribly in the pantry! We have received [many food donations], but our numbers [of clients] are growing. It all comes in it goes out same day.”
Over the holidays, the Food Pantry supplied meal baskets for nearly one-thousand families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This beneficial service was provided in addition to the day-to-day needs for GRACE clients.
The lull after the holiday season is an annual issue. Food drives during the holiday season tend to keep pace with most of the needs of GRACE clients. Still the inventory depletes rapidly after the first of the year, leaving the Pantry to play catch-up for several months after.
Keith’s list of out-of-stock food items: Canned chili (with and without meat); pasta sauce (can or glass); soups (everything but cream of mushroom); cooking oil; dry pasta and pasta sauce, children’s cereal; crackers; toilet paper, paper towels; and diapers, sizes 4, 5 and 6.
Numerous other items are low, including fresh produce, evaporated milk, condensed milk, coffee (can or bag), tea, canned tuna, mayonnaise, white rice, and dry beans.
How can you help? Here are some of Keith’s suggestions:
- Host a neighborhood drive
- Create a friendly competition in your office or workplace
- Use our Amazon Wish List
- Make a financial gift designated “Client-Choice Food Pantry”
- Advocate for the hungry & food insecure families in our community, pray for GRACE and the families we serve.
If you can help, groceries can be delivered at the GRACE Food Pantry, 837 East Walnut Street, Grapevine Monday through Friday, 9AM – 5PM. Special delivery times can be arranged by calling Keith at 817-305-4677 or Kyle Buchanan at 817-305-4676.
