REPORT AND SHORTAGES AS OF OCTOBER 17

Shortages for the 31 October distribution: (1) pasta sauce, (2) pasta, (3) canned beans (black/kidney/red/etc.), (4) dry, unsweetened cereal, and (5) “meals in a can” (stew, canned pasta, chili, etc.). Further shortages for 7 November: (6) canned soup, and (7) dry rice/beans.

In addition, we need: Similac Blue and Similac Orange baby formula, and/or domestic or foreign equivalents/substitutes. We also need: diapers sizes newborn, 3, 4, 5 and 6, baby wipes, and Pediasure, as well as Ensure and adult unisex pullups size large.

Paper grocery bags (Trader Joe or Wegmans size or similar) continue to be in short supply. Can you help? Plastic newspaper bags and plastic grocery bags are always needed. Plastic 12-egg cartons are very much needed. Other 12 or 6 unit containers are useful as back-ups. (18 and 24-egg containers are too large for our distribution).

Over the week ending at close of business 17 October, we received approximately 3.14 tons of non-perishable food. At expected client numbers, we have enough for next week – for the first time since at least July! Thank you!! Food shortages noted above are for two and three weeks ahead, except baby items mentioned afterwards which are short now.

In the week ending 17 October, we gave out some 2.10 tons of non-perishable food and somewhat less perishable food to 216 families. As always, special thanks go to all those helping us to keep St. Martin’s Pantry in operation!