Summer is usually a season that is looked forward to, but for FISH Food Pantry in Cape Girardeau it’s the hardest time of the year. This summer, they’ve had to dip into their reserve funds to keep serving families.
That’s because the need for food is up, and incoming donations are down. Board member Nancy Bray said there are a number of reasons for the shortage during the summer months.
“People are on vacation, they have other things going on, expenses,” Bray said. “But the need is up right now because of summertime. Children are home from school- children who might ordinarily be getting breakfast and lunch through their schools.”
Bray said that while most summers are bad, this is the one of the worse the pantry has had due to the poor economy. According to FISH’s records, the number of people calling for the first time nearly doubled from May to June.
And she’s never seen the shelves as empty as they are now.
“I can’t think of anything that we don’t need, really,” Bray said. “So, a trip to the grocery store- when you’re going for yourself these days- think about people who maybe don’t have enough to eat and just add a couple of items.”
FISH has already served 1700 people in the community this year.
The pantry was started in 1980 by several churches in the area. Donations can be dropped off at 106 South Sprigg Street. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 am to noon.
