Work continues as Grand Canyon Food Pantry prepares for holidays, winter season
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — The holidays are coming and food security efforts in the Grand Canyon area are out in full force.
On Nov. 19, the town of Tusayan held a Thanksgiving meal distribution, while Grand Canyon Food Pantry (GCFP) partnered with Grand Canyon School for a distribution in the park Nov. 23. This is in addition to their regular distribution date.
For the holiday distribution, the school will be delivering in the area, and the pantry will be open for community members not involved with the school. With help from places like Shepherd of the Hills church in Flagstaff, they pantry has collected plenty of holiday-themed food, including a variety of turkey products they plan to distribute based on family size. The event is first come, first served, though, so be sure to arrive early.
GCFP will still be open even after the holiday distributions. The pantry has recently switched to winter hours – Monday 11a.m. – 1 p.m., Wednesday noon to 2 p.m. and Saturday 2-4 p.m. Physical distancing measures are still in place, so the pantry has had to make adjustments to their operations. Pantry volunteers have put together an outdoor distribution system over the course of the year, so those in the community can be served both quickly and safely.
GCFP Director Mike Scott emphasized how grateful he was for volunteers, local businesses and community members who have helped the pantry be successful. He highlighted the organization’s importance through all seasons in the park.
There is still a significant percentage of the population at or below the poverty line.
“When things were going really well in January and February [of this year],” Scott said, “[GCFP was] running 250 to 300 visits per month.”
With additional household members being fed through these visits, Scott estimates the pantry was providing for 450 and 500 individuals in Grand Canyon National Park. This was prior to the two months the park was closed because of COVID-19.
With everything that has happened this year, the need for the food pantry has only been accentuated, Scott said.
According to Scott, pantry volunteers are doing what they can to prepare for the possibility of future hard times. He said St. Mary’s Food Bank out of Phoenix, Arizona has been an especially helpful resource and said the two groups are now regular partners.
Over the past few months the food pantry has been able to expand their refrigeration capabilities (as compared to past shutdowns/crises when they were unable to store any perishable items they were given), and received grants for COVID-19 relief. They have also applied for a permit with the park to make additional improvements to their building.
Scott said the hope is to continue to grow and develop the food pantry to better meet the community’s specific needs.
Grand Canyon Food Pantry is currently seeking volunteers until the end of the year. More information is available at signup.com/go/QjAqTrA. Those who need the pantry’s services can visit the pantry at 87 Sunset Drive in GCNP or call (207) 229-1228.
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