Salvation Army cuts food pantry to every other week

The Salvation Army has reduced the days of operation at its community food pantry because of a reduction in the flow of donated goods and funding.

It is also allowing clients to choose their own food items, rather than picking up pre-selected boxes. "When you come in, you get to do the physical shopping for your food,” the church wrote in a Facebook post.

“It makes it a little more personal … feeling less like a handout,” said Lt. Isabella “Belle” Green.

The pantry, which had been open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is now open the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, with the same hours of operation. And, when the calendar cooperates, it will be open the fifth Tuesday in those months, such as Oct. 31.

The reduction in days is due to a slower flow of donations and funding, said Green, who moved to town in June with The Salvation Army, along with her husband and fellow officer, Lt. Chase Green.

“We’re hoping that with the change (in days), we’ll be able to provide a larger amount of food,” she said.

Although the flow of donations has slowed, demand at the food pantry has remained about the same, Belle Green added.

To help fill the shelves, she said donations are welcome of “anything shelf-stable, canned food, boxed food, we’ll take most anything as long as it’s unopened.”

As the holidays near, holiday-themed food donations are also welcome, she said. There are no income requirements, and while people have the option of completing a short application for basic data, Green said they don’t have to fill out the form. “Our main goal is to get people fed,” she said.

For more information, call The Salvation Army at 907-874-3753 or visit the food pantry on the open Tuesdays. The church is located at 611 Zimovia Highway.