Food pantry faces shortages, overcomes challenges - KOMU 8

FULTON - SERVE Inc. is asking for more volunteers and more supplies for their food pantry.

Despite challenges like these brought on by the virus, the pantry made sure people were still able to get their food.

"They can pull up to our new drive-thru pantry, and within minutes we've got them heading to the back of the building for their food," business manager Marilyn Bartley said.

She said that while the non-contact drive-thru has been a success, but getting volunteers to return has been difficult.

"Our numbers are down," Bartley said. "We have a feeling that that's been because of fear."

SERVE removed all volunteers from the building when COVID-19 first broke out. Bartley said adding services to the building means employees aren't able to help out in the food pantry as much anymore.

"Unfortunately a lot of people are not quite feeling secure enough to venture into the public," she said. "We are having a little bit of a rough time getting people to come in and work the pantry with us."

Bartley said the food pantry is low on plastic bags and empty egg cartons. She said SERVE receives food from the Food Bank in bulk, and household items like these are how they donate food to people in need.

To make a donation or to sign up to volunteer, click here.