Assignment 2.1: The Public Needs to Know

8/01/13

Where do you turn when food stamps are not enough to cover your monthly food costs? Some go hungry while others depend on a local food pantry. “Food pantries are private emergency providers that gives bags or boxes of unprepared groceries to clients in varying amounts.” (Berner, Ozer, Paynter, 2008) Food pantries play a major part in the lives of those who are faced with hunger. They give out only enough food to last 3-4 days, however, every little bit helps. Economic, population, process, and benefits are all factors pertaining to food pantries.
Food pantries rely on donations from local businesses and non-profit organizations. In the state of New Jersey a woman who started a food pantry at her church states, about 250-300 people would come each month to receive food. It was not gourmet dining (canned tuna, vegetables, tomatoes, spaghetti, rice, peanut butter, dried beans, and so on) but the people appreciated the gift and the church could manage the distribution with a handful of dedicated volunteers. (“Food Pantries, Poverty, and Social Justice”, 2010)
Below is a picture showing bagged food ready for distribution.

Donations from the state and federal government helped make it possible to help more families. It was stated that participation grew from 250-300 monthly to 2500-3000 monthly. “The federal subsidy made it possible to provide a more balanced supply and the pantry was able to obtain juices, chicken, turkeys, and other proteins.” (“Food”, 2010) Some people turn to food stamps as a resource to feed themselves and their families. In most cases, however, food stamps do not last throughout the entire month. In this case people are forced to turn to a local food pantry for support. “Existence of soup kitchens and other hunger relief services demonstrate that food stamps are insufficient to meet national food needs.” (Berner, Ozer, Paynter, 2008) Food stamps and food pantries are often used together as a means for families to have enough food for the entirety of the month.
In addition to a food bank, individuals, businesses, churches, local charities, or foundations may contribute either cash or in-kind donations of food to a pantry...food pantries may apply to receive surplus commodities from the federal government through a food bank. The government distributes these commodities for purchase or for distribution through TEFAP which is The Emergency Food Assistance Program. The USDA allocates funds to states to purchase surplus commodities, states then distribute TEFAP commodities to organizations such as food banks. (Berner, Ozer, Paynter, 2008)
What kind of people find it necessary to participate in the food pantry program? People faced with poverty is the main reason for food pantries. “Food insecurity is only one part of poverty. Inadequate nutrition all too often is associated with inadequate shelter, lack of health care and bad education and poverty is at the core of it all.” (“Food”, 2010) Food insecurity can be defined as not having enough healthy food in the household. Some people think that those who participate in programs such as food stamps or the local food pantry are “having a picnic at the public's expense and getting fat at the same time.” (“Food”, 2010) However, some individuals use it as a way to make money, selling the food or food stamps they receive in order to line their own pockets. Some would rather turn to food pantries before food stamps. This would include low-income households, such as single parent, both parent or no children households. Seems like many households participate in the use of their local food pantry. Most are below 185% of the poverty level. Low education levels and hardships, also play a role in the use of food pantries. “Different economic and demographic characteristics of the household affect participation decisions. Receiving cash and non-cash public welfare, being non-Hispanic, living in a non-metropolitan area status and experiencing higher levels of food insecurity positively affects the food pantry participation.” (Bhattarai Duffy, Raymond, 2005)
Many people have heard of both food banks and food pantries. They are very similar, however, food banks are much larger.
Food banks warehouse, sort and distribute groceries to a network of partners. They are able to organize large-scale food drives, receive donations from private-sector food producers such as local cereal or paper product factories, and use large numbers of volunteers in addition to paid staff. The food banks collect food donations and then allocate those resources to smaller organizations or member agencies such as local food pantries, soup kitchens, daycare centers, or congregate meal programs, for subsequent distribution to individuals and families. (Berner, Ozer, Paynter, 2008)

Pictured above shows volunteers at a food bank with some of the food items that have been donated. Local food pantries then distribute food monthly and sometimes weekly. The local food pantry in my area distributes bread, milk, desserts and sometimes fruits and vegetables two times a week. Then twice a month they distribute boxes of food with meats and canned food. You can go both times each week for the bread but only once per month for the meats. The process of distributing the food is different for each one. During the week people line up at the door waiting for them to open. Once the doors are open people walk through picking which foods they want from the tables. Everyone gets bread items but not milk and desserts. The closer you are to the front of the line the higher your chances of getting milk or desserts. During the meats distribution they give you a number and you sit down and wait for them to call your number. When your number is called you go to a little room where the person gets you information. After that, you go into a larger room and get a box of meats and canned food. Other meats, such as hams, chicken or hamburger are also available. You can only choose one extra meat, though.

Volunteers at food banks sort the items before distribution. Canned food items can be sorted onto shelves. Meats, eggs and dairy products need to be refrigerated up until it's time to distribute. Careful examination of everything coming into the food bank is very important. If something is bad it needs to be thrown out immediately. All products need to be given out in their original unopened packages. The only exception is when a large meat item is donated and further processing is required. This needs to be done using the proper equipment and in a separate area from the food bank.
Food pantries benefit many different people. Some people have no food and need to turn to their local food pantry for help. If it wasn't for food pantries many people would go hungry. Being able to feed your family is a big deal. Most food pantries only distributes enough food for 3-4 days at a time. Even so, many families walk away knowing they can feed their children for a few more days. Even the volunteers and those who donate benefit from the food pantry. They feel good about themselves for being able to help those in need.
References
Berner, M., Ozer, T., and Paynter, S. (2008). A Portrait of Hunger, the Social Safety Net, and the Working Poor. The Policy Studies Journal, 36(3), 403-420.
Bhattarai, G.R., Duffy, P.A., and Raymond, J. (2005). Use of Food Pantries and Food Stamps in Low-Income Households in the United States. The Journal of Consumer Affairs, 39(2), 276-298.
Food Pantries, Poverty, and Social Justice. (2010, November). American Journal of Public Health, 100(11), 2021-2022.