The number of families relying on the Plum Food Pantry is nearing pre-pandemic levels, though not in the way you might expect.

Food banks across the country reported crushing demand at the height of covid-19, and again as pandemic-era federal benefits expired starting in mid-2021. To the contrary, the Plum Food Pantry saw a drop-off in demand over the past few years that’s just beginning to rebound.

Bernie Ogline, the pantry’s director, chalks up the initial decline to other relief programs and people’s concerns about leaving the house. Now, as food inflation persists, the pantry is “slowly picking some people up,” Ogline said.

The pantry serves about 75 families each month, a number that Ogline predicts will move closer to 100 by the end of the year. Before the pandemic, roughly 120 families used the service.

Still, Ogline said he is “always concerned about expenses” and especially welcomes direct monetary contributions. Many local churches, grocery stores and individuals pitch in with donations, but the organization buys most of its supplies from the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. In preparation for the June 20 distribution, the pantry spent $1,150.

The pantry got a $3,000 boost from Erie Insurance that morning as part of the company’s Giving Network. David Johnson, the principal agent at the Erie Insurance 2023 Agency of the Year, presented the check.

Additionally, pantry volunteers received Community Market gift cards, water bottles and other items from Johnson.

“We also had the opportunity to say thank you to all of the people who volunteer down there,” Johnson said. “It’s such a vital service in our area.”

Even with the shrunken client base, more than 30 volunteers help out on distribution days by unloading trucks, sorting food and packing bags, including Don Strong, 86.

Strong said the check “takes a big load off our bank account,” especially since the pantry has received fewer grant dollars this year than usual.

“I think Plum is a generous community,” Strong added.

Families must fall below a certain income threshold to receive assistance, which can consist of multiple bags of food and household essentials each month. They’re required to live in Plum or be a member of a church within the borough.

Ogline said pride is another factor that can keep people away from the pantry, but they shouldn’t wait until they’re desperate.

“A lot of times, what people will say is that they don’t want to take it away from people who need it more than they need it,” Ogline said. “If you need food, you need food.”

The pantry has been located at Holiday Park United Methodist Church since 1982, growing from one fridge in a closet to multiple rooms and a shed. Volunteers typically distribute food from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on the first three Tuesdays of each month.

For more information, visit www.plumfoodpantry.org or call 724-327-0367.

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