Fighting Food Insecurity
Food pantry usage has risen dramatically in the last few years, and it's clear what is driving more families to seek help. Prices for staples like eggs and bread are stretching budgets to their limits. According to Feeding America, 65% of food pantries have reported an increase in the number of people seeking assistance, a trend also experienced by The Salvation Army Fountain Square’s food pantry.
“We’ve seen a lot more people within the last two years asking for food assistance,” said Sharon Mack, social services coordinator. “We had to make changes to our food pantry to better help those coming to our door.”
On average, The Fountain Square corps serves more than 60 people each month through its pantry. Clients choose from a wide selection of food, including fresh and frozen meats, pastas, cereals, fresh and frozen vegetables, eggs, and canned goods. Households are invited to “shop” at the food pantry once every 30 days to help keep their families healthy and fed.
In years past, the Fountain Square food pantry had offered pre-bagged groceries to clients, but today individuals have the chance to select their own groceries. This has helped people needing food better select items they know how to prepare and ones that their family will be able to enjoy.
“I think choosing your food allows your food to last longer,” said Tamica Johnson, a food pantry recipient. “Once I know what I have from the pantry, I can budget better when I go to the grocery store.”
Tamica has been coming to The Salvation Army Fountain Square for several years to help her balance rising grocery prices with the need to provide healthy meals for her family. As of March 2025, the average monthly grocery cost for an individual in the U.S. was approximately $500 according to NerdWallet.
“I used to spend so much at the grocery, and being on a fixed income it can be a struggle,” explained Tamica. “I’m spending the same amount as I used to years ago and not getting as many items as I used to get.”
To keep up with the rising demand for food assistance, The Salvation Army Fountain Square relies on a combination of community partners, donations, and purchased food. The partnerships help supplement the pantry’s offerings, ensuring there is a variety of food available for those in need. Despite the challenges, the goal is to serve individuals and families struggling with food insecurity while maintaining their ability to choose.
“We are grateful for the support from the community,” added Mack. “Every donation, big or small, helps us meet the growing needs of our neighbors.”