Mike began utilizing one of Lower Cape Outreach Council’s nine food pantries in late 2022 when the cost of groceries became too much for his tight budget. “At the time, it was eggs,” Mike said. “I literally could not afford to continue buying them, and they have always been a big part of my diet. I try to eat and live clean, but I was starting to realize that I couldn’t afford to eat that way any longer.” Frustrated by the increasing prices, Mike took to social media where he learned about the LCOC food pantry located in his town.
“I hadn’t thought about using the pantry before, but I reached the point where I was definitely out of options.”
Mike quickly learned that he was not alone in his struggle to afford the rising cost of food. “Friends started to share that they, too, were feeling the pinch and had started using the food pantry.” With positive feedback from friends and neighbors, Mike headed to the pantry and suddenly felt that he was able to breathe a bit easier. “It was a new experience. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but the volunteers were great, and I even walked out with my precious eggs!” Like Mike, hundreds of other families have discovered the benefit of using their LCOC pantry located in each Lower and Outer Cape town to manage the rising cost of food.