Commerce Food Pantry Low on Supplies as the Holiday Season Approaches

The Commerce Food Pantry is the latest to feel the blow of this sagging economy. Little donations and increased need are two of the main factors attributed to the bare shelves at the First Presbyterian Church in Commerce, where the pantry is housed.

Serving more than 40 families a week, Church Secretary and Food Pantry Volunteer, Lindsey Priest says it’s simply a case of having “more people than food”.

With the Thanksgiving Holiday just weeks away and Christmas a month later, it seems as if the timing couldn’t be worse for any food pantry to be low on resources, especially one located in a city with just over nine thousand residents. 

Fortunately, there is hope in sight. Priest says supply donations have picked up since the summer months, and in the near decade she’s been involved, there has been tremendous growth within the pantry, even prompting a move to a larger space.

While the pantry is not a member of the North Texas Food Bank, they have partnered with Brookshire’s in Commerce. Brookshire’s allots space inside the store to house brown bags of groceries which are donated to needy families upon purchase by volunteers.  

Anyone with interest in providing donations can bring items to the First Presbyterian Church of Commerce. All food donations should be non-perishable items and while food and monetary donations are needed, volunteers are as well. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Those in need of assistance can visit the pantry every Thursday from 2-4 p.m.