While things continue to slowly open up as COVID vaccinations increase, one thing that has not changed is the number of people fighting food insecurity — and that means Jewish Family Services food pantry is as busy as ever. The two locations of the pantry are serving more than 900 families and their pets, and the numbers continue to grow.
Twenty-three Cosentino’s Price Chopper locations have stepped up to the plate to help the JFS food pantry in a big way with its “Buy One Give One” program, which started earlier this year.
When you purchase a $5 or $10 “Buy One, Give One” card at participating stores, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Cosentino’s. The cards are now available at check out; please ask your cashier to purchase one.
“This promotion allows us and our customers to help feed families here in need,” said John Cosentino, co-owner of Cosentino’s Food Stores. “This is an innovative promotion which allows all of us — old and new customers, our employees and the Cosentino family — to come together to make a significant impact in addressing the growing food crisis.”
During the pandemic, the number of individuals, families and older adults seeking assistance from the JFS food pantry has doubled. In the Kansas City metro area:
Twenty-four percent of families with children struggle to put food on the table.
Prior to the pandemic, 1 in 8 people were food insecure. Now the number is 1 in 6. The number of food insecure children has jumped from 1 in 7 to 1 in 4.
Many families do not qualify for federal assistance or their benefits are limited.
Government assistance often does not cover household and personal hygiene items.
Food insecurity has increased more than 40% in the last year.
The JFS food pantry distributes approximately 55,000 pounds monthly that includes fresh produce, shelf-stable food products, household items as well as pet food. Fifty percent of the products the pantry distributes come from food drives and donations.
For more information about the Cosentino’s “Buy One, Give One” promotion including a list of participating Cosentino’s Price Chopper stores, visit www.jfskc.org.
