Donations are coming in and more are needed at Lawrence InterFaith Endeavor (LIFE) Food Pantry.
Laura Bailey, director of operations at the food pantry, said a donor paid for more than $1,000 worth of food at the Bedford JayCee store recently.
“He surprised us. He gave me the receipt and told me ‘It’s (the food) ready to pick up.'”
The shutdown of the federal government has resulted in a cessation of SNAP benefits and that has led to an increasing need for people to use food kitchens and pantries.
Bailey said: “We’ve seen an increase, but is it because of the issue (government shutdown), or just the time of year?”
About the increased demand, Bailey said, “We’re ready.” She stated that the Bedford Free Methodist Church had its annual Stuff a Truck promotion recently. The church borrowed the pantry’s box truck, and parked it near the church during Sunday service. The congregants donated food items after getting out of church. Bailey said 1,200 food items were gathered.
Bedford’s Free Methodist also donates to the pantry on a monthly basis. The two volunteers pictured, Royce and Nancy Peabody, also make a monthly food run to Indianapolis.
Anyone who wants to donate can go online at www.lifeindiana.org for the latest information. Current needs include canned meats, flour, sugar, macaroni and cheese, coffee, tea, canned fruit, small dish detergent and toilet paper.
LIFE Food Pantry in Bedford is open 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Donor, churches help Bedford’s LIFE Food Pantry but more items are needed, director says
Reporting by The Times-Mail / The Times-Mail
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