The Bradford Food Pantry has scaled back how often families can receive food assistance, citing rising costs and the loss of longtime donors.
The pantry’s board of directors decided to reduce distributions from twice a month to once a month for the foreseeable future, according to Bob Milner, a longtime member of the board.
Milner said increases in food and fuel costs have affected the agencies that supply the pantry, just as they’ve affected local families. At the same time, he said, many of the pantry’s longtime monetary donors have died, and their generosity has not been replaced.
“We certainly hope to increase that number again once monetary and/or food donations return to normal,” the pantry said in a statement.
Officials said the organization is asking the community for help in two ways: food donations and monetary gifts.
The pantry is in consistent need of non-perishable, shelf-stable items, including canned meats such as tuna and chicken; canned soups, stews and chili; peanut butter and jelly; canned vegetables and fruits; rice, pasta and dry beans; and breakfast cereals and oatmeal.
Food donations can be dropped off at the pantry, 2226 N. Temple Ave., Starke, during donation hours: 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays and 8 to 10 a.m. Fridays.
Monetary donations are fully tax-deductible because of the pantry’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, officials said. Checks should be made payable to Bradford Food Pantry and mailed to P.O. Box 1094, Starke, FL 32091.
The pantry can be reached at 904-964-3984 or bradfordfoodpantry@gmail.com for questions, large food drop-offs or information on volunteer opportunities. Marty Best, current president of the Bradford Food Pantry board, can also be reached at 352-235-0150 or dvrybest1@gmail.com.
