COVID-19 puts a strain on Manatee food pantries. Meanwhile, demand is skyrocketing

Manatee County families are relying on outside help for their weekly meals, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but some food banks are struggling to meet the demand, while others are closing altogether.

Vicki Snyder, the co-founder of Hungers End Manatee, said her organization was helping more people with fewer supplies.

The organization usually serves about 200 people on Wednesdays, but Snyder now receives daily calls for help, and the pantry is giving out an extra 100 meals throughout the week, if not more.

“I don’t know what I’m getting on the truck,” she said. “With the stores having such a run on them, the trucks have been a lot less. I could get eight or 10 pallets, whereas now I’m getting three or four pallets.”

Some food banks receive donations from local grocery stores. The food goes to local pantries and into the community, but donations took a hit when shoppers stockpiled groceries, Snyder said.

Hungers End relies on Feeding Tampa Bay for much of its stock, and COVID-19 put a strain on the organization.

“As food donations continue to fluctuate, please know that different items will be available at different times,” the agency said on its website. “Unfortunately, during this time we cannot guarantee specific food items or categories.”

Snyder called on local residents for food and monetary donations, broadcasting the need on her Facebook page and her website, hungersendamerica.com. Bread and other supplies remained constant, but meat was in short supply.

“I could get 800 pounds of meat and now I’m getting maybe 100 or something,” she said.

For more information about the services offered by Hungers End Manatee, 1802 14th St. W., call 855-777-0259.

Parrish United Methodist Church went from helping about 40 families every other week to 100 families every week, said Kathi DeCarlo, the director of food ministries.

“With people being laid off, losing jobs, it’s just increased the need in the community,” DeCarlo said. “We’ve got folks showing up and asking to get food for their elderly neighbor, or their neighbor who doesn’t have transportation.”

Along with its bi-weekly food pantry, the church started pop-up pantries whenever food is available. DeCarlo said she noticed a similar decrease in food from grocery stores, so the church is getting creative, leaning on old partners and forming new connections.

“The food that’s donated from the grocery stores like Publix, Walmart and Aldi, yes, that has lessened because of everyone’s buying habits right now,” she said.

“We’re searching high and low for companies, organizations, anyone that is willing to donate to us, or anyone who is willing to give us a super deal,” DeCarlo continued.

The church currently relies on Feeding Tampa Bay, the Food Bank of Manatee and the help of local residents. As the church pantry faced an overwhelming demand, DeCarlo was heartened by the flood of community support.

“There is hope, because people are stepping up,” she said

To donate or learn more about Parrish United Methodist, 12180 U.S. 301, residents can email jdecarlo1@tampabay.rr.com.

Resonate Life Church received food through Feeding Tampa Bay last week, and it was gone the same day, said Lou Neri, the pantry director.

Neri said the church helps approximately 150 families — about 500 to 600 individual people — each week, but he felt compelled to stop meal services for the next several weeks.

Most volunteers were over 60 years old, and Neri was uncomfortable putting guests and helpers in a dangerous situation.

“The Bible says, ‘Obey the law of the land,’ so when the governor says close down and avoid close contact, that’s what we’re doing,” he said.

This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 4:12 PM.