Affton Food Pantry Sees Summertime Spike in Need

Summer is a tough time for the Affton Christian Food Pantry.

The pantry relies on schools, especially Affton School District schools and Bishop DuBourg High School, to run the food drives that feed needy families, so as summer comes to an end, the pantry said its supplies were dwindling.

“Our shelves are bare this summer, more so than in recent years,” said Jennifer Meehan, the pantry’s executive director. “When summer comes along, those drives pause for a few months.”

School food drives may have paused, but the need hasn’t. Meehan reports a 30 percent increase in the number of families coming to the pantry this year compared to last year.

Last week, , an all-day food drive at the Schnucks at Hampton Avenue and Gravois Road. Volunteers—including 17 children between the ages of 3 and 10—asked shoppers to buy extra peanut butter, chili and other necessities for families in need.

The drive raised 57 large boxes of food and more than $270 in donations.

“This food drive could not have come at a more critical time for us, and the magnitude of it will go a long way toward seeing us through the next few months,” Meehan said.  “We are deeply grateful for all of the donations we received: every jar of peanut butter, every can of soup, every box of cereal, every dime, quarter and dollar stuffed into the canister.

“Without the support of our community, we could not help feed hungry families in the Affton area.”

If you want to help, and drop off non-perishable food items.

If you or your organization holds a food drive for the Affton Christian Food Pantry, let us know! Post an announcement or event to Patch!