QUINCY (WGEM) – Food insecurity remains on the rise in the United States. That is according to the latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Food insecurity has increased over the last couple of years, according to the report. In Quincy, The Salvation Army Food Pantry observed a rise in demand.
It was a “significant rise in need,” according to Heidi Howard. She is The Salvation Army’s Regional Social Services Director.
Howard said, at one point, 250 food boxes (a food box is a shopping cart full of food) were going out the door per month. That is a staggering increase from the usual 130 to 150 food boxes per month.
Demand has since returned to that average amount. But when there is increased demand, Howard said it takes the community to keep everyone fed.
“I’ve seen the pantry bare before,” Howard said. “We have great blessings and nice partnerships, and people in the community who help us. And then we fill it back up.”
She praised Horizons Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry as one partner that aids the community frequently. Like The Salvation Army, they serve meals to people in Quincy throughout the week and provide food pantry services. Howard also mentioned Dot Foods and Central Illinois Foodbank as additional support partners.
Howard acknowledged food pantries cannot always provide the full support people need. She said they do make a difference.
“Visiting pantries – that’s a supplement in a budget. If you’re not having to pay for your entire grocery list, but you could supplement it with pantry or some sort of food need that you have and can find it here – what a blessing,” Howard said.
The Salvation Army in Quincy provides a morning breadline from 9-10 a.m. every weekday morning. The food pantry is open for the following hour afterward.
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