The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting effect on many people in a variety of ways. One of the most profound is the effect on food security needs.
Pastor Randy Robinson of St. James United Methodist Church in downtown Danville says his church’s monthly food pantry has seen a substantial rise in customers, an increase of about 1,300 people since before the pandemic began.
He says one of the most profound things he has seen COVID effect is families who were already struggling just to get by in normal times, and who now have seen those problems compound.
“We’re seeing one dwelling that has multiple family units in it because of the financial squeeze that some folks are experiencing due to COVID,” Robinson says.
With St. James’s food pantry being monthly, Robinson says many people receive a plentiful supply of food from volunteers. Due to the pandemic, customers can receive their food without stepping out of their vehicles.
“If one neighbor or one family member has a vehicle and someone needs a ride, they all pile in the same vehicle, and then it is packed with food when you try to put that much food for those number of families in one vehicle,” he explains.
St. James’ food pantry operates on the third Wednesday of every month, and it is just one of a number of food pantries in Danville. You can find a list of the other Danville-area food pantries here.
