PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Dozens of volunteers came to Pittsfield’s South Community Food Pantry Friday morning to help unload a donation of 40,000 pounds of food.

“We go through a lot of food every week, so we’re very happy that we’re getting this food,” said pantry director Mary Wheat.

What You Need To Know

  • The South Community Food Pantry received 40,000 pounds of donated food Friday

  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints made the donation

  • Inflation is making it harder for the pantry to stock their shelves while serving more people than ever
  • The food should keep the pantry full for the next couple of months

The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints made the donation. Bishop Aaron Buyack said members of the local church volunteer at the pantry.

They saw the need for more food and worked with the church’s headquarters in Salt Lake City to coordinate the delivery.

“There already was a localized need as there are many people in this area that struggle financially,” said Buyack. “But again as the economy has been struggling, gas prices going up, the cost of housing, everything, people aren’t making ends meet.”

Wheat said inflation is making it harder to stock the pantry’s shelves, and they’re serving more people than ever before.

“We’re up to 700 families a week, and of those we have 350 deliveries,” said Wheat. “That’s increased tremendously.”

The food should be enough to keep the pantry full for the next couple of months. Buyack said it will have a big impact during such a difficult time.

“These are basic necessities that are so important,” said Buyack. “To be able to grow and strengthen as an individual, you have to have basic necessities like food on the table.”