PC Food Pantry stepping up in uncertain times
By Emmalee Parsley Stevens
Grant Tribune Sentinel
As of October 1, the United States Government is officially closed until further notice. This has many affects on the population, however, one in particular stands out. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, has ceased funding from approximately forty-two million Americans as of November 1,2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Many individuals who depend on SNAP for their food, are left without help. The Perkins County Food Pantry is expecting to see a much larger amount of people in need in the near future, compared to what they have seen in past years. The pantry is under the direction of Diana Pankonin and the Grant United Methodist Church Ministry, with help from the Perkins County Ministerial Association. Volunteers are responsible for putting food away, hosting food drives, and more.
As of this year, 2025, eighteen families have been helped by the food pantry, which also means there is always a need for donations. The pantry accepts donations such as meat (ground beef, frozen steak, chicken), frozen pizzas, t.v. dinners, condiments, hamburger/tuna helper, canned goods, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, syrup, feminine products, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, dish soap, and laundry detergent.
The pantry also accepts monetary donations. Currently, the account balance is at an extreme low. These donations are extremely important because they go to “gift cards” to Hatch’s that are given to families to buy perishable items such as milk and eggs that are not able to be stored at the pantry. Individuals who would like to donate can drop off items at any church or at Hatch’s Super Foods. There currently is no designated time for the hours of operations, however, individuals are encouraged to call any church with questions or to set up a time to donate/volunteer.
Last week on Thursday, October 30, a food drive was hosted at the Grant United Methodist Church. A large shipping truck pulled into the lot at about 1 pm. Numerous volunteers were ready to help unload and organize two large pallets of food to be distributed to several families in Perkins County. This is just one event of many where the food pantry has provided support for the community.