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Food bank 'turning people away' as donations drop

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  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 5:08 GMT by BBC
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Food Bank’s Bottleneck: Local Charity Turning Away Those in Need

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In the wake of rising food insecurity across the United States, a local food bank in the Midwest has begun turning away families and individuals who arrive seeking help. The “Hope Pantry,” a nonprofit that has served the region for more than a decade, says the decision is forced by a combination of supply chain disruptions, a surge in demand, and limited staff and volunteer resources.

The Numbers Behind the Tension

When the pandemic first hit, the Hope Pantry saw a 150 % increase in the number of households requesting assistance. According to a 2023 report from the National Center for Food Security, the pantry now receives roughly 1,200 visits per week, a far cry from the 600 it handled before COVID‑19. Yet, the pantry’s food inventory has not kept pace.

“We’re experiencing a chronic shortage of perishable items and fresh produce,” says Hope Pantry Executive Director Dr. Maya Patel. “Despite a generous influx of canned goods, the rising cost of shipping and the global supply chain crunch mean that many of the items we do receive are already near expiration.”

Patel notes that, in the past year, the pantry has reduced its weekly meal count from an average of 30,000 meals to 18,000—a drop that has forced the organization to reassess its distribution priorities.

New “Tiered” Distribution Model

Facing the paradox of too many requests and too few resources, the Hope Pantry instituted a new “tiered” distribution system on July 15. The system, designed to give priority to the most vulnerable, divides clients into three categories:

1. Priority 1 – Families with children under 18, seniors over 65, and households receiving other public assistance (e.g., SNAP or Medicaid).
2. Priority 2 – Single adults, couples without children, and low‑income families not on public assistance.
3. Priority 3 – Individuals and families who do not meet the above criteria.

“The goal isn’t to deny help but to maximize impact,” Patel explains. “We’re allocating our limited supplies to those who will use them most quickly and need them most urgently.”

Under the new system, the pantry reports that it has been able to maintain a 90 % satisfaction rate among Priority 1 clients, according to a survey conducted in early August. However, the number of people placed in the Priority 3 bucket has grown, and many have expressed frustration at having to wait weeks or being directed elsewhere.

Community Response and Advocacy

The decision has sparked a debate among local residents, activists, and other nonprofits. On July 25, a town‑hall meeting organized by the City of Riverton’s Community Development Department highlighted the issue. “It’s a painful but necessary measure,” said City Commissioner Luis Hernandez, who has been a vocal supporter of the pantry. “We’re calling on the state to allocate additional funding for food banks, and we’re urging businesses to increase food donations.”

The Hope Pantry’s partner organization, the Riverton Food‑Aid Coalition, has taken up the cause. “We’re expanding our own volunteer shift hours and have begun a new “drop‑off” program that encourages local businesses to contribute non‑perishable items,” says Coalition Director Emily Reyes. “We also launched an online portal where donors can pledge monthly contributions, which helps with forecasting inventory needs.”

A link in the original article directed readers to the coalition’s website, where a real‑time inventory tracker lists the pantry’s current stock levels and upcoming supply needs. The tracker also features a “Donate Now” button that streams to a secure payment gateway.

Policy and Funding Gaps

Food banks across the country face similar challenges. According to Feeding America’s 2024 “Food Insecurity Report,” national pantry capacity has not expanded in proportion to the rise in demand. Funding gaps, coupled with increased operational costs, have left many charities scrambling to keep up.

“The federal government has increased the SNAP benefits multiplier this year, which is a step in the right direction, but the underlying structural issues in the food supply chain remain,” says Dr. Patel. “We’re urging Congress to consider a targeted food bank relief package that would provide grants for storage, transportation, and staffing.”

In the meantime, Hope Pantry has introduced several temporary measures to ease the strain on the community. These include:

• “Community Kitchens” – Monthly cooking classes that teach families how to stretch limited ingredients into nutritious meals.
• “Pantry Partnerships” – Coordination with nearby grocery chains to schedule regular donation drives for fresh produce.
• “Volunteer Expansion” – A recruitment campaign targeting retirees and college students to boost staffing for packing and distribution.

What You Can Do

Readers of the original AOL article were encouraged to visit the Hope Pantry’s website for more information on how to donate, volunteer, or spread the word. The pantry also maintains an active social media presence, offering weekly updates on available food items and upcoming events.

If you’re in the Riverton area and need assistance, the Hope Pantry’s drop‑off hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. While the new tiered system means that not everyone may receive help on their first visit, the pantry’s staff remain committed to working with each client to find a solution—be it a meal voucher, a grocery list, or a referral to a local shelter.

In a time when hunger has become a visible and urgent public health crisis, the Hope Pantry’s story serves as a stark reminder of the gaps between demand and supply, and the importance of community‑level solidarity. By understanding the challenges outlined in this article, citizens can better support local food banks, advocate for policy changes, and ultimately help close the hunger gap that still plagues millions across the nation.