TIMELESS: Are you looking for eggs, need help with the basic staples

St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry President Pat Hardman prepares for the next food pantry delivery.

“If their cupboards are bare, we can help them,” said St Vincent DePaul Food Pantry President Pat Hardman about families visiting the food pantry during high inflation driving up prices. “I don’t want any child to go hungry, and actually, right now, we can still get eggs. That is a basic staple, a protein for families of all ages. ”

The non-denominational food program helps “all God’s children,” allows families to stretch their food budget, and ensures Clay County families do not go without food.

“We want families to take advantage o what we have to offer,” said Hardman. “Come pick up some staples, save your money to purchase proteins elsewhere, or maybe save up for a treat for the family.”

The local food pantry regularly serves 40-50 families, but it increased to more than 75 on Tuesdays and 30-45 more throughout the week during the holidays.

On the fourth Thursday of each month, a mobile event is held at Meridian Towers, starting between 9:30-10 a.m., and lasts until the food runs out. Recently, some hard-to-get staples like milk and eggs are on a first-come-first-served basis but usually are available for approximately three weeks.

Hardman provided the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Indiana Department of Health guidelines used by the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry to give food to those in need.

“I don’t know why people are unaware how simple and easy they are on families,” Hardman said. “We might not be able to provide everything, but we can help their budgets stretch farther.”

USDA & IDOH Guidelines to qualify for Emergency Food Assistance Program are:

Each additional household member adds $728 per month.

“We have all this food here that is available,” said Hardman about the three tons of food he picks up from Catholic Charities each week. “If we need more, we will go get it.”

Tax-deductible donations to support the project can be sent to Annunciation Church, 19 North Alabama Street, Brazil, 47834.

“We are all God’s children, and we are here taking care of God’s children,” said Hardman, who thanks all the volunteers who work at the food pantry. “This is a non-denominational effort by everyone here. We are not judgemental. This is a true blessing to help anybody and everybody in need, especially during times like this.”