VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Pantries tackle food insecurity across Central New York
Jillian Schumacher: Syracuse’s St. Mark’s is working to help those at the times they need it most. With the rise of food prices impacting household food security. St. Mark’s Church Food Pantry and clothes closet is how they help. Donations from the church parishioners is how they keep the pantry running. Jacalyn Eberline, a parishioner at the church, has been working at the pantry for 20 years. Eberline says they try to help in any little way they can.
Jacalyn Eberline: Come to our door. We are very happy that we can help them out in some small way, and that need is growing.
Schumacher: Eberline says 15-20 families come to their door each month. Each resident gets two bags of food, composed to help them create meals. The church’s clothes closet sells clothing and shoes for, all for just 25 cents per item. Money from clothing sales goes back into the pantry. The people that come to St. Mark’s pantry are very appreciative, says Eberline.
Eberline: You are very nice and always very appreciative of the help. The people that come to the clothes closet thank us very much.
Schumacher: St. Mark’s Pantry and clothes closet is open the second and fourth Tuesdays and Fridays of each month, serving 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents with a 13204 zip code can come to the church’s doors every 90 days for food. From Syracuse, I’m Jill Schumacher, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Food pantries are doing their part in reducing hunger in their communities.
Household food insecurity has proven to be a prevalent issue in America and Central New York.
According to the Food Bank of Central New York, there are 141,320 people in the area who are food insecure.
Onondaga County has over 70 food pantries; one is St. Mark’s Food Pantry in Syracuse.
The pantry is open the second and fourth Tuesdays and Fridays each month to help their community.
Parishioner Jacalyn Eberline has been working at St. Mark’s Pantry for 20 years.
Eberline said the people who come to their doors are always so appreciative of the work they do.
“We are very happy that we can help them out in some small way, and that need is growing,” said Eberline.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices in the Northeast have increased 2.4% in 2024.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also stated prices for eggs, meat and fish are rising by 4.5%.
The increased prices of those necessities are impacting household food security.
“At one point, we were going through so much food we weren’t able to keep up with the amount we needed,” said Eberline.
Fifteen to 20 families come to their door each month, said Eberline.
Parishioners and other community members collect food and clothing for those who need it most.
The church clothes closet has clothing for 25 cents apiece.
Money from the clothes closet helps fund further purchases for the pantry.
“The people that you meet are very nice and always very appreciative of the help. The people that come to the clothes closet thank us very much,” said Eberline.
St. Mark’s Pantry is accessible to residents with a 13204 zip code and is available every 90 days.