People's Pantry Garners Donations For Fall Food Needs

MALVERN, PA — People's Pantry at Church Road is helping feed a lot more families now than it did before the pandemic brought unemployment and other challenges to so many.

"People's Pantry has seen a dramatic increase since March in the number of families we help. We now have 111 families signed up," reported Michael and Patricia Neeb. The panty operators said 47 families shopped last week. People can come in twice a month, and the influx means the pantry is sometimes nearly cleaned out.

"This increase has seen our backup supplies of canned food dwindle. Two of our major food drives did not happen this year so we are having a Canned Food Drive on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 9 am to noon," Patricia Neeb said.

"We have lost out on roughly 4,000 pounds of food from two major food drives being canceled due to Covid-19," the Neebs told Patch.

Because of increased need, People's Pantry at Church Road is hosting a Canned Food Drive on Saturday, Oct. 3 between 9 a.m. and noon at 384 Lancaster Ave.

The pantry's biggest ongoing need is for canned vegetables, especially beets, carrots, corn, green beans, mixed vegetables, peas and potatoes. Also very useful are chick peas, red kidney beans, baked beans, tomato sauce and tomato paste.

These items may also be dropped off on Tuesday mornings between 10 a.m. and noon at the pantry. The pantry encourages those who are able to consider picking up a few extra cans while they shop to donate, and "help our neighbors in need."

People's Pantry said word has gotten out on social media to let people know of the food pantry's needs. "Thanks to some posts on Facebook we received a glorious 1,183 pounds of food today! Thank you all who contributed!" they said.

Monetary donations may be made payable to People's Pantry and sent to 384 Lancaster Ave., Frazer, PA 19355 or dropped in the mailbox located in front of the pantry.

People's Panty on Church Road distributes food to folks in the Great Valley School District. Those in need of food coming for the first time should bring a recent piece of mail showing their address. Food pickup is the second and fourth Wednesdays and Saturdays of each month from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

People's Pantry at Church Road is a 501c3 organization.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.