EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Local food pantries are preparing for a challenging period as the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank announces significant cutbacks in its operations and donations due to a lack of federal funding.
Among those affected is the Bethel F.O.R.C.E Church food pantry, which will no longer receive donations from the food bank.
RELATED:El Paso food bank scales back due to funding uncertainty under Trump administration
Pastor Glen Murchison, who helps run the pantry, said, “We are serving about between 40 to 60 families once a month.”
The pantry, which provides bread, meat, drinks, and canned goods, will now face a reduction in donations.
Susan Goodell, CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, explained during a news conference on Monday, “20 percent of our agency partners are slated to no longer receive food from this food bank.”
According to a list provided by the food bank, 22 food pantries across El Paso, including churches, schools, and other community resources, will no longer receive donations.
Additionally, four partnerships with the food bank will be put on pause.
You can see the full list below:
Paused Partnerships:
- Salvation Army. 4300 E Paisano Dr. 79905
- New Jerusalem COGIC. 8888 Dyer. 79904
- Candlelighters. 8409 Lockheed. 79925
- Northeast Bible Restoration. 4925 Fairbanks 79924
Pantries closed from EPFH donations.
- Aliviane. 3801 Mattox. 79925
- Bel Air Middle School. 7909 Ranchland. 79915
- Bethel FORCE. 7750 Alabama. 79904
- Casa de Dios. 3817 Kemp. 79904
- Centro Cristaino Fortaleza de Esperanza. 3921 Dyer. 79924
- Centro Cristiano Sion. 1145 N Zaragoza. 79907
- Desert Wind ES. 1100 Colina de Paz 79928
- Good News . 12819 Alameda. 79836
- IDEA Mesa Hills. 405 Wallenberg Dr. 79912
- Life Gate Church. 10555 Edgemere. 79925
- Living Word Center. 3707 Admiral. 79925
- Nueva Iglesia Puerta Del Cielo. 1430 Gail Borden. 79935
- Our Lady Mt Carmel. 131 S Zaragoza. 79907
- Purple Heart Elementary. 14400 GR Campuzano Dr. 79938
- Reach and Relieve. 10964 Montwood. 79935
- Stanton Elementary. 5414 Hondo Pass. 79904
- Travis Elementary. 5000 N Stevens. 79930
- Una Mano Amiga. 4676 Turf Rd. 79936
Jesse Bruce, Director of the Bethel F.O.R.C.E Church food pantry, expressed concern over the impact of these changes.
RELATED: USDA funding cuts threaten school meal programs in El Paso
“It’s bad to, I mean, even to shut one down is an impact,” he said. “And this is the kind of pain that hurts for real. You know, when a person gets hungry, hunger is a terrible pain.”
With the reduction in resources, some individuals may have to seek assistance from other, less accessible food pantries.
Bruce noted, “We have people that come that…a lot of people can’t make it as far to other food pantries.”
Pastor Murchison added, “We have to just kind of make up those ends so yeah it’s going to be it’s going to be a tough road with that shortage.”
More information related to the changes at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger food bank can be found on their website.
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