Between the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, rising interest rates and political polarization it’s no secret that the 2020s have been fraught with problems for many of us.

We have to admit that some have been hit harder than others. While businesses have changed their operating hours to adapt to a smaller workforce, and housing prices in the area have gone through the roof, and homelessness and food insecurity are an every day struggle for some of us.

The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in Ishpeming can testify to the increased need for food in the area. In the past, it had served just over 60 families per month, but that number has ballooned to more than 100 families during the same time frame.

Part of this increase could likely be attributed to the reduction in state and federal extra food assistance in February, and children being home from school for the summer months, requiring parents to provide three meals per day.

The problem has been compounded by a reduction in quarterly assistance from the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program to food pantries. So just as the need rises, part of the pipeline to replenishing these charitable organizations has simply dropped off.

That’s where we come in. Yoopers take care of each other, and we will continue to do so. St. Vincent de Paul in Ishpeming is looking for basic food items such as juice, canned vegetables and fruit, canned meat, peanut butter, canned potatoes and spaghetti sauce.

Toilet paper, paper towels, and salt and pepper are also on the list.

The Ishpeming food pantry is not alone. The St. Vincent dePaul stores in Marquette and Gwinn are reporting increased need as well as the Salvation Army.

Every food pantry in the area could use our help. With 67,000 residents in the county, if even a third of us made a habit of donating requested items to our local food pantries, there would be a lot less need. Monetary donations would also likely be welcomed.

We also recognize that every volunteer who donates their time and energy to these causes also are critical to them. People who are unable to donate may be able to volunteer. We can all give back to our community in some way. What better way to do so than to take care of each other?