$1,500 Donation Helps St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky Meet Growing Need for Food Assistance

ERLANGER, Ky. — St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky, a dedicated food pantry in the area, has announced a $1,500 Gratitude Grant from Newport Elks Lodge #273 to help keep its shelves stocked amidst a significant rise in demand.

The charity has seen an alarming 40% increase in visits from families seeking food assistance from October through mid-March, compared to the same period last year. The Executive Director, Karen Zengel, attributes this surge in visits to the ongoing inflation crisis that is making essential items increasingly unaffordable for many families in the region.

Inflation Drives Increased Need

According to Zengel, food insecurity in the community is being exacerbated by rising prices in grocery stores. “The need for food has grown exponentially,” Zengel explained. “We are up 40% in visits and the amount of food we’re distributing to our neighbors in need. It’s very exhausting to feel like you’re on this treadmill and you can’t get ahead because the prices continue to rise.”

The statistics back up Zengel’s concerns. The steep rise in food prices has hit families hard, and many are now turning to food pantries like St. Vincent de Paul for help. With inflation showing no signs of slowing down, the problem is only expected to worsen.

“Prices are up in the grocery store. Inflation does not seem to be curbing, it just seems to continue to crawl upward,” Zengel said. “And that’s a lot for folks to be able to absorb.”

The Impact on Housing and Food Access

Beyond rising food prices, another pressing issue in northern Kentucky is the lack of affordable housing. Rising housing costs force families to make difficult decisions between paying for shelter and providing food for their loved ones.

“If you have to choose between spending your money on housing versus food, you’re going to pick keeping that shelter over your head,” Zengel shared. As a result, families are increasingly relying on food pantries to help bridge the gap and ensure their basic needs are met.

A Lifeline in the Form of a $1,500 Donation

Given the increased demand and financial strain, the recent $1,500 Gratitude Grant from the Newport Elks Lodge #273 comes as a welcome relief for St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky. The funds will be used to replenish the shelves at the Cold Spring Food Pantry, allowing the organization to provide for more families struggling with food insecurity.

Inflation’s effect is being felt not only by local families but also by the food pantries themselves. As donations don’t stretch as far as they used to, it has become increasingly challenging for organizations like St. Vincent de Paul to keep up with the demand. The additional grant will help ensure that more families can access the food they need.

Efforts to Stay Ahead of the Demand

In order to keep up with the increased demand, St. Vincent de Paul is also hosting various food drives. One such campaign is the “40 Days of Giving,” which encourages the community to donate food and supplies over a six-week period. Additionally, the “Food Fight Against Hunger” competition has been launched, engaging local businesses in a friendly rivalry to collect donations for the pantry.

St. Vincent de Paul runs a broad network of 29 pantries across northern Kentucky, with three of them located at their own facilities. Already this year, the organization has served over 8,000 people, with more families reaching out for help every day.

Zengel acknowledged that while it’s rewarding to provide assistance, the situation is bittersweet. “It’s wonderful at the end of the day. It’s a double-edged sword, though. We don’t want to be needed so much. And there is a lot of need in our community,” she said.

Ways to Help: Donations and Volunteering

For those who want to help, St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky is always in need of donations, both food and funds. Volunteers are also welcomed, especially at the Erlanger pantry, which is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The most needed items include boxed cereal, canned soup with protein, peanut butter, and pasta sauce.

With the continued support of the community, St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky hopes to continue meeting the growing demand for food assistance and help ease the burden of food insecurity for many families.

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