Food pantry use up 40 percent

It may have reached a plateau but Cache Community Food Pantry Director Matt Whittaker says record numbers are still coming to the food pantry for assistance. He says it used to be that 85 to 90 families would come in for help each week but now a slow week is 120 families, which means a 40 percent increase.Whittaker says most of the newer clients have lost their jobs. “But then again, you have a lot of people who’s hours have been cut,” he says.New trends started developing last year and have continued. “Last holiday season we were hit with quite an increase in numbers because Christmas bonuses didn’t happen, over-times not happening,” Whittaker says. “Again, I’d say the majority of it is lost jobs.”Whittaker says about the most common phrase he hears is, “I never thought I would have to come here.” But then, he says, they say they are just very grateful for the help.

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