Five days a week, Chad from the Weinberg Food Pantry drives our refrigerated truck each morning to pick up food donated by five local supermarkets. Last summer, it cost $60 to fill up the gas tank; now it costs $80 and that number keeps going up. But it's not just an increase to the cost of gas that is affecting the Food Pantry; since food prices are also rising, donations from grocery stores are going down.
For instance, one grocery store that usually gives us a lot of fresh cut fruit has started reusing it in other departments and therefore stopped donating it to us. We then have to purchase more canned fruit. That's something that people don't often realize - we have to actually purchase a significant amount of food - food that is not donated by individuals, grocery stores, and other businesses. Last year we spent $40,000 on food and it's going to be more this year. In fact, last year we went three or four months without having to purchase food, but this year we've already had to buy food each month.
With prices going up, our staff has to spend more time researching the best deal. For example the cost of ground beef has gone up and we are paying an extra $0.25 more per pound and canned fruit is up to $1.35 per can for the store brand. After looking in a few places, we were able to get some at a warehouse store for $0.97 per can, but this savings takes time and driving further than the grocery store.
The soaring cost of gas at the pumps and food costs at the stores are going to create a huge challenge this year and it's going to be critical for us to increase our cash contributions. You can donate online or send checks to Jewish Family Service at 3201 South Tamarac Drive, Denver, CO 80231. No amount is too small.
In addition, food donations are always needed and may be delivered to our office. Learn more about the top 10 items needed in the Pantry...
Thank you in advance for your support in helping the hungry in our community!
-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department
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