The Taylorville Food Pantry continues to see an increase in traffic.  New data for August show 67 new households began turning to them for food.  This has happened amid a continued rise in grocery prices, uncertainty over tariffs, and fewer job openings across the country.  The trends underscore the need for donations of food and money, but also the compassion the volunteer staff show towards those who come in.

Dick Breckenridge has been volunteering with the Taylorville Food Pantry for five years.  He says as the number of visitors has increased, so too has the gathering of food to give out. 

The most recent census data for Christian County shows the average household size is 2.36 people.  That’s only slightly below the national average of 2.5 people.  Especially for larger households, rising costs of living are playing their part in the increase of visitors at the food pantry. 

The food pantry is always willing to accept donations of food and money from the public.  Outside of that, much of their food supply comes from centralized foodbanks from other hubs in the state.

Dick Breckenridge has seen the Taylorville Food Pantry evolve drastically in his time there.  He says some changes have made the location more inclusive of visitors’ needs than some might expect of a food pantry. 

The Taylorville Food Pantry is located at 1429 East Main Cross.  They are open Tuesdays from 8:30-10 a.m., Thursdays from 5:30-7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:30-9:30 a.m.  More information is available at www.taylorvillefoodpantry.com or by calling them at (217) 820-2651.

Dick Breckenridge appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.