By Rooya Rahin
Last week, I had the privilege of interviewing Shenika Carter, coordinator of the Nativity Lutheran Church Food and Community Supply Drive. We talked about the importance of food pantries to local communities, the need for strengthening anti-hunger programs such as SNAP, and what pantries are doing to combat hunger in their communities during the pandemic.
Our Neighbors are Struggling
Food is “sustenance that provides nourishment for life and growth,” said Shenika. Since the pandemic began, the Nativity Lutheran Church has worked to support that growth, providing food boxes for any community members in need. During just one event, they distributed food to more than 1000 families and ran out of food in three hours.
But food is not the only way they’re supporting the community. The Church also provides supplies to help families get through these challenging times. In July, they are providing hygiene products and in August, school supplies and help with signing up for internet access for low-income families.
The Church currently has distribution and resource events planned for the next eight months. Unfortunately, eight months out is as long as Shenika can plan for, wishing she had the resources to provide more for the residents of Commerce City.
Food Pantries Need Our Support
“SNAP benefits have only, in the past, supported families with extreme need, taking in to account those families that are unemployed, or minimum-wage or [near] the poverty level, said Shenika. “COVID-19 has put us in a crisis that has devastated even the middle-class families.”
“Give your time, give your treasure, give yourself.
Continue this fight for adequate SNAP benefits so
our families can have access to life and growth.”
– Shenika Carter
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps or food assistance, is our nation’s most effective anti-hunger program. It exists to expand during economic downturns to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors can access nutritious food.
Unfortunately, Congress has decided to ignore the millions of households struggling with job loss, their dwindling savings and food stores, and the rising cost of groceries. In Colorado, the average SNAP family receives just $1.29 per meal per person; not enough to supplement a healthy diet let alone get them through the month. “We are in a food crisis,” said Shenika.”People are starving [and] there will never be enough food pantries.”
How You Can Help
No one person or pantry can solve hunger, but each person can do their part to make sure no one goes hungry. Send a message to our Senators and tell them to prioritize food relief. And you can find your local food pantry or food bank, to volunteer or donate, by visiting COFoodFinder.org.