Putting Compassion Into Action

As the leaves turn and holidays approach, we enter a season of both reflection and thanksgiving. But for many families here in Alachua County, this season brings rising anxiety: food costs are soaring, public funding is tightening, and making ends meet is harder than ever. We see the impact firsthand. Our food pantry serves hundreds of households every month, many of whom never imagined they’d need help putting food on the table. This year, the faces we see are more diverse, and the stories more urgent: parents skipping meals so children can eat, seniors unsure where their next meal will come from.

 At Catholic Charities, we believe it’s precisely the right moment to show compassion and to act.

Food Insecurity in Alachua County

Let’s begin by looking at the numbers.

In 2023, 15.2 % of Alachua County residents struggled with food insecurity, compared with 14.4 % for Florida overall.  Many of these residents are seniors living on fixed incomes. In Alachua County the child food insecurity rate has been estimated to be around 19%. These numbers are even higher in our rural communities.

Behind these statistics are real families, neighbors who work hard but can’t keep up with the cost of living. Rent, gas, and healthcare have all increased, leaving little left for food.

Our Food Pantry Needs You More Now Than Ever

Our pantry, like many across the state, is being stretched in new ways. In previous years, federal and state programs helped supplement local food pantries through grants, commodity food distribution, and emergency relief. But those funds have become increasingly difficult to access. Competitive grant cycles, changing eligibility rules, reallocation and delays in state contracts have all reduced the reliability of this support.

At the same time, food costs continue to rise up 25–30% over just a few years. Items that once filled our shelves for pennies on the dollar now cost significantly more. Every donated dollar and every case of food simply doesn’t go as far as it once did.

 In addition, more families are needing support now than a few years ago. Many who were once just one emergency away from crisis have now been tipped over the edge by inflation, wage stagnation, medical bills, or reduced employment. The daily average of clients needing assistance from our pantry has almost doubled.  The more people who turn to us, the faster our supplies and budgets are stretched. These pressures have created a “perfect storm”: greater need, higher costs, and shrinking public assistance. All of this means that

the burden of sustaining pantry operations increasingly falls to local donors, parish communities, volunteers, and private philanthropy.

How We’re Responding

Despite the challenges, we remain committed to ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry. We are responding to this growing need through creativity, collaboration, and faith-driven resilience:

· Expanding local partnerships - We’re strengthening relationships with area farms, grocery stores, and distributors to increase the supply of donated food and fresh produce.

· Targeting efficiency - We’ve improved inventory management and pickup coordination to reduce waste and stretch every resource further.

· Grant diversification - Our staff is applying for new private and foundation grants to help offset the loss of certain government funding streams.

· Volunteer and parish engagement - We’re coordinating with local parishes and civic groups for regular food drives, helping ensure consistent pantry supplies throughout the year.

Community education and outreach - We’re working with clients to connect them to SNAP, WIC, and local job and housing programs, aiming not just to relieve hunger temporarily, but to promote long-term stability.

Through these efforts, our goal is simple yet urgent: to continue being a steady source of nourishment and hope for those who need it most. No matter the obstacles!

Our Continued Commitment

This season reminds us why our mission matters. Every bag of food, every family served, and every act of generosity reflects Christ’s call to feed the hungry and care for our neighbors in need. Even as funding shifts and costs rise, we remain steadfast with determination, partnership, and faith. We will continue to serve as a beacon of compassion and stability for all who walk through our doors.

Thank you for helping us put compassion into action!