Like many charities, the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry has experienced its share of challenges this year.
“A lot of people are kind of hesitant (to donate), and with it being the pandemic, prices are sky high on a lot of things,” explained Nereida Duncan, who runs the pantry.
“Last year was tough. We didn’t get a whole lot of donations like we normally do. We ended up having to purchase a lot and it put a financial drain on us, because when you don’t have much coming in, it’s hard to give out,” added her husband Harold Duncan.
St. Vincent de Paul has food drives through schools and businesses, but also relies heavily on donations from individuals in both money and goods. Although the donations decreased, local need has not. Harold Duncan noted there’s a sizable portion in Poplar Bluff whose income does not cover living expenses.
“It’s either food or a roof over your head,” he said, adding many choose to pay for housing because St. Vincent is there to provide them with food.
The pantry is adjusting its supply to better serve families by moving away from snack foods in favor of more filling options and MREs (meals ready to eat) such as packaged chili. Their top grocery list items are foods with a long shelf life, including grains, canned goods, pasta and evaporated or dried milk. They also take cold goods, which are held in the multiple freezers and refrigerators on site.
Despite their low donation flow, this year they want to give a little extra to the community for Christmas.
“This year, what we’ve been trying to do is get more donations in so that way we could put together a holiday bag — so the families come in to get their normal bags, we would give them a ham or turkey or some other canned goods,” Nereida Duncan said.
St. Vincent de Paul’s doors are open to all, but there are some situations that hit the Duncans harder than others.
“Kids and veterans, you know. We got a real soft heart and we try to go above and beyond when it comes to a kid,” Harold Duncan said.
For holiday bags and other needs, St. Vincent welcomes donations of both goods and cash. Harold Duncan noted monetary donations are extra helpful, though, because they can both buy food and help with the pantry’s planned expansion into the empty space next door, a project for which the Duncans are currently seeking a contractor.
Prospective volunteers are invited to apply in the main office during business hours and donations are also accepted during that time. It does not matter whether someone shows up with a little or a lot to contribute, Nereida Duncan said. What is important is people giving what they can.
“We’re taking anything that we can get right now,” she said.
St. Vincent de Paul is located at 213 S. Broadway St. They are open 12:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays. Resources are also available after hours for anyone reluctant to come inside.
St. Vincent de Paul of Poplar Bluff is a branch of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. More information can be found on their Facebook page or by calling 573-686-1948.