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The Jesus Focus Food Ministry at Bethanna has been serving vulnerable children and families for decades. But president and CEO Karen Hamilton-Derry said the nonprofit’s role has greatly expanded since the pandemic swept through the region.
“Our families and the children and the people that use the pantry, their needs have intensified, because they’re coping with job losses and other stresses like everyone in society is facing right now. So it’s put extra need out there in the community,” she explained.
Bethanna director Marcy Barnes oversees the volunteers who begin loading cardboard boxes filled with food into the trunks of vehicles every weekday at 9 a.m.
Lately, she’s seen a lot of new faces.
“A lot of them are coming through the community that have never been to a food pantry before. Both spouses have lost their jobs. They actually come here with tears streaming down their faces because we’re providing this need. They’re just, ‘thank you, thank you, thank you.’ They’re so grateful,” Barnes said.
Vicky Matsik of Newtown is one of those first-timers. She worked all her adult life until last month, when she lost her job as a home health care provider.
“Very hard. I have faith in God. I try real hard, even in tough moments, to find little things to be grateful for” the 63-year-old said.
In March, Bethanna served about 410 households. That number swelled to around 550 in April, and it’s likely to grow even larger this month.
The nonprofit’s food stockpile has also been bolstered by an enormous outpouring of donations from the community.
In Bristol, Bucks County, what used to be a farmers market for those in need has turned into one of the largest food pantries in the region.
Last week, staffers and volunteers with the Bucks County Opportunity Council provided boxes of food for more than 450 households, and they ran out in less than two hours.
BCOC manager Eileen Albillar said thanks to some very generous donations, the agency was able to pivot to an emergency drive-thru food distribution operation shortly after the pandemic — and coinciding financial catastrophe — hit.
“You know, for as sad as it is, it’s pretty amazing to see what people are willing to donate and how thankful people are. Pretty amazing, I think. It shows what a good community this is,” Albillar said.