Help Fill the Food Basket to combat local hunger during September Hunger Action Month.

Cassville Pantry Director Janet Mills calls upon the community to help out, unite and take action.

“This September, let’s not allow hunger to remain in the shadows,” she said. “Instead, let’s seize the opportunity during September Hunger Action Month to make a difference and combat food insecurity. We all are feeling discomfort at the grocery store when the receipt starts adding up to a shocking total amount. Who hasn’t been unsettled by the prices in the food aisles while shopping and been forced to adjust a menu and reevaluate a food budget?”

In such a time of economic uncertainty marked by inflationary pressures, the food pantry serves as a lifeline for 500-600 families comprised of 1,450-1,500 individuals each month. Many of the families receiving food assistance consist of seniors or disabled adults who are restricted to limited and fixed-income budgets.

Fixed-income households often cannot keep up with inflation and cost of living increases. All low-income families must make hard decisions to choose between buying food, medicine, utilities, housing, or daycare. The choice to cut back on food is common, resulting with undernourishment and inadequate food on the table.

The pantry saw a great deal of demand for food resources from all the families with children who were out of school for the summer. The high summer temperatures have also played a part in creating a spike in need.

“Folks have been coping with health stresses in the heat just getting out and about,” Mills said. “There are factors of additional transportation challenges including car maintenance during excessive temperatures, elevated gas prices, and the additional cost of utilities trying to stay cool.”

Access to the pantry took on some routing variety this summer with the sewer trench pipeline construction.

“Workers have been very cooperative with keeping us open and available,” Mills said. “The project offered some interesting and unique scenery for our visitors over the last two months. The children were entertained while watching the excavators dig, the dump trucks load and empty, and the heavy equipment move around dirt, rock, and pipeline.”

Mills applauds her team of volunteers who have demonstrated extreme dedication given their willingness to accommodate two recent drive through food distributions in late August working outside in temperatures well over 100 degrees bathed in high humidity.

“New volunteers are always being sought out,” Mills said. “They are welcome and needed. There are many ways to serve and in a variety of time windows. Lifting heavy items is not a requirement but it would be immensely valuable to have someone on hand for even one hour to help with the heavier stocking inventory tasks. Without extra helpers to pitch in, the regular volunteers are at risk of facing task fatigue.

“Most of our volunteers are over retirement age and we would love to get some younger generations interested in joining in. Anyone is invited to drop by and visit the agency to observe how it works. The staff are happy to introduce you to the many rewarding opportunities to engage in the operations.”

Anyone feeling a little nudge of curiosity about how to help the hungry may come by the agency to see how to make a difference in small ways. As the pantry provides assistance through all seasons year round, staff will be busy stocking up our shelves for the holidays.

“We know time flies,” Mills said. “Don’t let all your time fly by and ignore the need without making some investment in helping others.”

Cassville Pantry is making an appeal for much needed support during September by sponsoring a Hunger Action Month fundraiser with a goal to raise $15,000 for the food bank from Sept. 6-27. A $50 contribution to the Fill the Basket promotion at the pantry will provide five days of food for a family. Contributions can be made in person, online at cassvillepantry.com, or mailed to the agency address at 800 W 10th St. Cassville, MO 65625.

People may call 417-8467871 for more information. Watch for updates on the pantry Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/cassville. pantry/.

“By coming together as a community it is possible to make a significant impact upon the issue of food insecurity,” Mills said. “The Pantry can only continue to address the hunger crisis that plagues our neighbors, friends, coworkers, and relatives given collective and consistent support of many allies.

“This September, join us in taking action to combat hunger and ensure that no one in our community goes to bed hungry.”