PARRISH, Fla. (WWSB) – As the price of basic goods grows alongside inflation in the United States, so do lines of cars piled up outside food pantries.
The Parrish United Methodist Church, which distributes free meals twice a month, is handling heavy waves of locals trying to get a break. Saturday was one of many busy days with at least 170 drivers queuing for their share of goods, some of them arriving before dawn.
Jim Racky, who runs the church’s food pantry with his wife, pointed out 17 cars were waiting when he got to the site.
“If they’re going to be here at 4:15 and our lines don’t start moving until 8 a.m., they’re the ones who need food,” he said, watching the line of cars snaking around the adjacent field. to the church.
Racky walked ABC7 through the operation, explaining how our troubled economy has changed the situation for many families, not for the better.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Parrish’s pantry was a small affair, serving a few dozen people. As the virus took hold, disrupting careers across the region, that number rose to 700 people per drive at the height of the pandemic.
Eventually, the situation cooled down to about 400-500 visitors per drive, then down to 150 about eight months ago.
However, the cost increases again. Drive in the past two months has been counted closer to 170 people.
“Is that a good thing?” Racky asked. “No, it’s not a good thing, but we have food here to give them.”
Inflation has pushed grocery prices up 12% in the past 12 months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which means more families are struggling to buy basic necessities.
Katherine Storelli is one of those guests who makes the pantry a regular part of her routine. Sitting in his car staring at the line creeping ahead, he sighed.
“The economy isn’t doing much better,” he said. “It’s getting worse.”
Life has been frustrating lately, he told ABC7, with the price of almost everything going up. She pointed out that even chicken, one of the cheapest meats, has been blown so far past the market price last year, it could also be pork or beef.
“It’s very difficult to survive anymore,” Storelli said.
Storelli is a school bus driver, a career he admits doesn’t pay well and is more demanding during the summer. No class means no rides and no income, but he still does not qualify for unemployment during this period.
Given the situation, spending hours under the Florida morning sun waiting for a few bags of groceries is a waste of time.
“Well, here we are,” he said with a wry smile. “We’re actually willing to sit in all this wicked heat just to get one table.”
Although the wait has been uncomfortable at times, Storelli stressed that he is grateful the food pantry is up and running, praising the hard-working team for their selfless efforts. Without them, he says, he doesn’t know what he would do.
As the hours went by, the morning bleeding into the afternoon, Racky didn’t lose step for step. Slinging round and joking together with his army of volunteers, he emphasized their work is consequential for the people of Parrish.
Despite the many challenges faced in obtaining food, he stressed that the network of donors supporting the 20-year-old project remains strong. Although the long line of cars and the supplies piled up under the awning on the side of the road began to shrink towards the end of the day, he was firm in his determination.
“They won’t go here without food,” he said.
It’s unclear how long the dismal rate of inflation will continue to plague local residents, but Racky said his organization is prepared to keep serving the growing number of guests. In fact, he is betting on opening the pantry to at least 150 people for the next few years.
“Thank God we’re down at 100, I’d love it,” said Racky. “But until now we will be here giving what we can.”
A few bags of groceries, a warm greeting and a prayer. Not enough to right the wrongs of the misguided economy, but maybe enough to weather the storm.
Parrish United Methodist Church hosts a food pantry distribution drive every second and fourth Saturday of the month. Volunteers put out food between 8 a.m. – 10.00, but guests are encouraged to line up early.
More information on how to attend the next drive and how you can support the mission can be found by clicking here.
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