Delaware food pantry faces fresh food crisis

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) – A central Ohio food pantry that feeds thousands of people a month is running low on some food items important to a balanced diet.

People In Need (PIN), Inc., which helps people across Delaware County, posted on social media Monday about what it's experiencing. The refrigerators and shelves where the non-profit's food pantry keeps its produce and dairy have a lot of empty space.

“It's sad, it's also kind of scary because we do have systems in place to bring food to us on a weekly basis that should supply enough, the reality is the need is far surpassing what we can bring in," PIN Executive Director Kathy Hoff said.

She said it's a combination of factors which have led to this situation.

“The need is much higher and the excess doesn't exist anymore when we’re picking up from our direct retail partners," Hoff said.

The pantry served almost 5,200 people last month, up about 70% from May 2023, according to numbers from PIN. While stock of other foods is OK, the team said the produce and dairy are important so clients are able to have a healthy diet.

"Most people will acknowledge that fresh fruits, fresh vegetables are something everyone should be eating and so we want to really consider what benefits everybody," PIN Director of Food Insecurity Programs Kristin Psedpelski said. "We’re seeing an average of 130 families a day, so we like to give a grocery bag full of produce to every family. If we went out to try to buy ourselves a grocery bag full of produce for 130 families, it would add up to a lot of money.”

PIN is hoping community members will help out. Financial donations can be made online. Food can be donated at PIN's building at 138 Johnson Drive, Delaware, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

“We are in a situation where we will make sure we can do whatever we can to feed the people of Delaware County, and it's a basic need we’re trying to meet for people," Hoff said.

PIN also helps get fans to those in need. It's distributed 127 so far this season.