Back in April (which seems like a very long time ago, now!), a new initiative was launched in our Pantry Program. The Pantry Program was born six years ago, soon after I started at Holy Apostles (which seems like a long time ago, too!). In its early days, we called it the Backpack Pantry Program. It served about 50 families with children at the public school across the street from the church who struggled with food access on the weekends. Every Thursday, each family in the program would get a backpack filled with enough food to make meals for a family of four on Saturday and Sunday.
All was well. Then came the pandemic. Overnight—literally—the number of families in need skyrocketed, and access to food throughout the week became a necessity. We realized that the program needed to change. With financial support from generous donors and some city and state programs, we were able to add dairy and fresh fruits and vegetables to the shelf-stable items we were already distributing.
This system was effective for quite some time. It was not perfect, however: all recipients were being given the same thing—a bag of produce, a bag of protein-rich food, and a bag of non-perishable items. Understandably, not everyone liked what they got. Some food was fought over, some food was thrown away and wasted.
So, in April of 2024, we shifted again. We now offer a “choice pantry” system. Guests come in and order what they want on big kiosks set up by the doorway. They are given a certain number of points, which can be used within categories recommended by the FDA. The kiosk sends their order to volunteers, who pack it up and deliver it then and there.
The first few weeks of this new Pantry manifestation were not smooth. Staff, volunteers and guests all had to learn the new system. But the longer-term results of this most recent shift in operations have been very successful. Ordering is more targeted. Waste is reduced. Most importantly, agency is granted to our guests. Instead of Holy Apostles telling them what they should have, they get to choose what is best for them.
The lessons in this are simple: change is inevitable. Adaptation is essential. And when both are embraced in the context of connection and care, new life is born.
Epiphany blessings,
