- I don't think most people have any idea what is going on here.
I mean, people are not gonna be sitting in their car
for six to seven hours for food at a food pantry
if they didn't need it.
A lot of these families depend on the government for help.
They went from increased benefits during COVID
to much decreased benefits now,
and then food prices are higher than they've ever been.
So, they literally sit in line for hours for food.
- I pulled in here at 4:00 this morning.
The last time we were down here,
the line was all the way back to the freeway,
all the way back to the parkway.
- To the intersection I'd call it.
- I'd say that's close to a mile from right here.
I know it is.
- When we get our checks, we have to pay bills,
and then you got to buy what little you need
on what little food stamps you get, SNAP.
- How much were you guys getting during COVID?
- $350, something like that.
And then after it's over, it went back down to what it was
before, about $140.
But still, the mayonnaise and everything else stayed high,
so it didn't equal out.
Both of us disabled.
She's on oxygen. I'm on oxygen.
She's got blood clots in her legs.
We usually have to take money out of something else for food.
You know, out of our checks, disability checks.
- Before the pandemic, I was getting $15 a month.
During the pandemic, they raised them to $240.
You know, after the pandemic, they cut 'em down to $30.
Well, $30 don't get you much.
- Put that tape in.
- We like Christian music.
♪ How much longer must we wait? ♪
-This really is more than just a food pantry.
We wanted it to be a community building,
and that's what it has become.
Hi. How are you?
- Hey. How you doing?
- How many you picking up for?
We always knew that there was a great need on our side
of the county especially,
because people didn't have gas money to drive
the 20-some miles to the nearest food pantry.
- Alright. You're good.
- We don't care about your income or where you come from.
We believe that if you're in line, all our job
is is to just feed people.
There you go. How many you picking up for?
- Two families.
- Two families?
- Where you want it, in the back?
Alright, there you go. Have a good day.
- Thanks, y'all. - You're welcome.
Back seat?
I started helping at the food pantry here
almost from the beginning.
Oop!
See, that's what happens when short girls do that.
Hold on. You got tomatoes.
I have just become more aware of the fact
that there is such a food insecurity in our area.
When the SNAP benefits ended,
it was like our line doubled the next giveaway.
Come on up a little bit. There you go.
And since then, the more cars we have that day
and the faster we are running out of food.
- I don't know what time it is now.
4:06. Hot dog.
I didn't know it'd been that long, but I have sat longer.
If it wasn't for this place here, I wouldn't be doing.
With it, I can eat one meal a day.
Without it, I'd eat a meal probably every two, three days.
Yesterday, I ate a bowl of cereal and a can of peaches.
That was my supper.
What you think?
Gimme a kiss. Here.
Gimme a kiss. Thank you.
- We never knew when we started this pantry
that the need would be this big.
Hello. How are you?
- Fine shape. You?
- Got your paper for me?
Sometimes, it really gets to you.
- Hello, there.
- No matter how hard you work, you'll always run out of food.
- Looks like you're about out of stuff.
I sure will use every bit I can get.
You know that. - I know it.
I'll walk with you.
Get you some extra taters.
They're special people.
I mean, we've really bonded with everybody
that comes through this line.
Here, Henry. Here's two more.
- Thank you. Thanks for everything.
- We're gonna give you some cabbages.
- Even at the end of the day, when there's not much food left,
people are still just so thankful for anything
that you can give them.
- Don't want to run over you!
- Well, if you want to run over somebody, run over him!
- There you go. We got that for you.
- Oh, that's the baddest dog in the county, no doubt in my mind.
- There you go. - See you!
- Thank you!
- We're calling it on account of no line.
- We were raised to take care of people, and that's what --
that's what we're doing. - Let's roll our chairs in.
- But I feel like it shouldn't have to be like this.
There has to be a better way.