CUMBERLAND — When Sue Gahimer arrived to set up for food pantry hours, there was a box of garden-fresh zucchini by the door.
It was enough for everyone who passed through Wednesday at the COME (Community Outreach Ministry Eastside) that operates out of First Baptist Church of Cumberland.
There have been other gestures of support like that lately, she said. Checks from people who know about the pantry and write saying they thought it could use a little extra. Ears of corn from Tuttle Orchard. A donation from the nearby Meijer, a longtime supporter.
But the pantry is seeing twice as many visitors as it used to; in late March through early May, Gahimer said, the number coming was almost triple what it was in early March. So the pantry plans an Aug. 1 food drive to make sure its inventory can continue to keep pace with local need.
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“Either hours have been cut, or they didn’t work for a period of time,” Gahimer, co-chair of COME, said of the increase in visitors. “(With) what they do have coming in, they’re trying to catch up on rent or utilities.”
Other local churches that house food pantries are also seeing an increase in traffic.
“I’d say now our average is about 120 a week, where in early March our averages would have been 55 a week,” said Erin Flick of the church pantry at Fortville Christian Church. She also thinks more elderly people are driving through during pantry hours, seeing it as a safer option to get out for groceries.
She said Fortville Christians United, a group of Fortville churches working together on hunger relief and building Christian unity, has been very supportive with pantry donations. Pantry hours are conducted in a drive-thru format these days, so volunteers try to gather enough boxes and new cloth grocery bags to prepackage the food they offer to the motorists in line.
Visitors to Angel Connection Food Pantry also stay in their cars as volunteers put the food in for them. Pantry president Donna Foster said the pantry, now housed at McCordsville United Methodist Church, is serving about 100 families a month.
“We’ve probably tripled the amount of people that we were serving” she said. “Our stock is very low now.”
The Rev. Mark Havel said need has been up and down at the Groceries of Grace food pantry inside Cross of Grace Lutheran Church in New Palestine, “but I understand trends are showing predicting that it will be busier than usual in the next month or so.”
Along with non-perishable food, the pantry tries to stock items such as shampoo, dish soap and detergent; it also often gives $20 gift cards to the New Palestine Needler’s so clients can buy fresh items, too.
The COME pantry in Cumberland is supported by the group of COME churches: Amity United Methodist Church in Greenfield, Cumberland Christian Church, Cumberland First Baptist Church, Cumberland United Methodist Church, Eastgate Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Indianapolils, Mt. Comfort Church, St. John United Church of Christ in Cumberland and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis. In recent months, a donation made possible the purchase of a commercial freezer, allowing the pantry to accept donated bread and milk it hadn’t had space for before.
The Aug. 1 food drive will have a drive-thru format. Boxes will be out for donors to place canned food inside and not have to touch anything else.
“We’re just hoping some people will take time on their Saturday and drive by,” Gahimer said.
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Several local food pantries expressed what they could use now from those donating.
Angel Connection Food Pantry: Non-perishable food or hygiene items can restock the pantry, housed in McCordsville United Methodist Church. Of particular interest are tuna, canned chicken, spaghetti and sauce, macaroni and cheese, ketchup, mustard, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, detergent and glass cleaner.
To arrange to drop off donations, call President Donna Foster at 317-219-9157 or the church at 317-335-3705. The pantry continues to be open from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesdays.
Fortville Christian Church pantry: Any non-perishable food is welcome, as is toilet paper and new cloth grocery bags. Donated items can be set inside the outer lobby-entrance doors at the church, 9450 N. County Road 200W. Information: fortvillechristian.com, 317-485-4934.
Groceries of Grace: Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, 3519 S. County Road 600W, New Palestine, operates this pantry. Items sought are non-perishable food, shampoo, soap, dish soap, laundry detergent and $20 gift cards to Needler’s. Arrange a time to drop off donations, or to receive food, by calling the church at 317-861-0977.
Main Street Food Pantry: Gateway Community Church Fortville operates the pantry from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays at 115 N. Main St., Fortville. To make arrangements to donate, call 317-485-5418.
Shirley-Wilkinson Community United Methodist Church: To donate or seek assistance, call the church office at 765-738-6710. The church also hands out carry-out sack lunches between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from the church at 309 South St., Shirley.
Wellspring Center: The center at Brandywine Community Church, 1551 E. New Road, Greenfield, has a drive-through food pantry on Mondays and Wednesdays. Donate non-perishable foods, paper and cleaning products, toiletry items and pet food to the center during the pantry hours: 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays. Other useful donations would be laundry detergent, size 6 diapers, and items that together make meals (spaghetti and sauce, canned tuna and Tuna Helper, etc.). Information: 317-462-4777, brandywinechurch.org
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A food drive to support the Community Outreach Ministry Eastside pantry runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 1 at Cumberland First Baptist Church, 116 S. Muessing.
Drop boxes will be out and volunteers ready to accept donations in the drive between the front door and the bell tower.
Donations sought are canned food (vegetables, fruit, soup and pasta such as ravioli), spaghetti sauce, cereal, crackers, ramen noodles, healthy snacks, microwave popcorn, pancake mix, syrup, peanut butter, jelly, powdered milk, rice and beans.
Paper products (toilet paper, tissues, paper towels), feminine hygiene products and diapers would also be welcome.
Donations of cash, checks or gift cards are also appreciated.
The pantry is open from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Cumberland First Baptist Church. It serves people in Buck Creek and Sugar Creek townships in Hancock County and Warren Township in Indianapolis.
Information: @COMEFoodPantry on Facebook, (317) 891-5179
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