High inflation is severely impacting Lamar County residents’ ability to have enough food and causing anxiety, according to recent surveys conducted at the Downtown Food Pantry.
“People are more anxious and skipping meals,” said executive director Allan Hubbard. “We had 87.9% of the clients tell us they are frequently worried about it. That’s the highest number we’ve seen yet.”
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) recently conducted surveys of pantry clients and received surprising answers.
Almost 60% reported skipping meals due to food shortages in their homes.
But 97% of clients reported their food insecurity and anxiety was helped by visiting the pantry.
“As a senior living on fixed income, it helps me a lot especially with rising food prices and utilities,” one client replied. “I also take care of a disabled son.”
Lamar County’s food insecurity rate is 23%, the highest of 13 counties in the North Texas region.
Downtown Food Pantry’s board of directors plus a number of financially donating churches, individuals, businesses and grant-awarding foundations are working to help that.
“Thank God for the food pantry. My food stamps were lowered to almost $10,” another client commented.
Residents are able to receive food every other week and choose items their household will eat from a wide variety of canned staples, fresh produce, frozen meat, plus milk, bread and other items.
The only requirement to visit is a family live in Lamar County.
“We’re thankful for the food and the people who run the pantry. No one in America should go hungry, and your pantry is doing a great job feeding people,” wrote yet another pantry visitor.
Hubbard said many volunteers are RSVP members and the pantry has a great partnership with their organization.
“These surveys show those volunteers are making a difference right here at home.”
For more information, or to donate, visit downtownfoodpantry.org or call Hubbard at 903-737- 8870. The pantry is located at 124 W. Cherry St. in Paris.
