Who we help
Neighbors. That's the whole answer.
Not 'the needy.' Not 'cases.' The people who use our pantries are parents between shifts, seniors stretching a fixed income, students, veterans, and — over a lifetime — probably someone you love. Here's what hunger honestly looks like in our region.
1 in 8
neighbors in our region worry about their next meal
That's roughly 18,400 people across Harper County and the river towns — classmates, coworkers, the person behind you at the pharmacy.
Figures are our best regional estimates, updated yearly — see how we count.
- of the households we serve include children
- 38%
- Weekend and summer — when school meals stop — are our busiest seasons.
- guests at our pantries is a senior on a fixed income
- 1 in 5
- For many, the choice is between groceries and a prescription refill.
- of households we serve include at least one working adult
- 62%
- A full-time job at local median wage covers rent and utilities in Millbrook — and not much else.
- average visits per household per year
- ~5
- For most neighbors the food bank is a bridge over a rough month, not a way of life.
Let's be honest with each other
Five myths that keep neighbors hungry
The biggest barrier at our pantry doors isn't supply — it's shame, and shame is built out of myths. Every one of these gets said to us at least once a week. Every one of them is wrong.
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Myth 1
“Food banks are for people who don't work.”
The truth
Most households we serve include at least one working adult. When rent takes 55% of a paycheck, one car repair or sick week is all it takes. Hunger here is a math problem, not a character problem.
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Myth 2
“People will take advantage of free food.”
The truth
The average household visits about five times a year — usually around a specific rough patch — and then we don't see them again. Neighbors take what they need and leave the rest for the next family.
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Myth 3
“Food bank food is cans and junk.”
The truth
More than 40% of what we distribute is fresh: produce, dairy, eggs, and protein, most of it rescued from grocery partners and local farms the same week it would have been thrown away.
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Myth 4
“Needing help means you've failed.”
The truth
Over a lifetime, most people in this region will be on both sides of our line — dropping food off in a good year, picking it up in a hard one. That's not failure. That's what neighbors are for.
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Myth 5
“My small gift can't possibly matter.”
The truth
Because of grocery rescue and wholesale buying, $1 helps provide about 3 meals. A $10 gift is a family's dinners for a week. One two-hour sorting shift moves roughly 900 lbs of food.
Our promise at every door
If you come to us hungry, you will leave with groceries — and your dignity untouched.
- No ID, referral, or proof of anything. If you're here, you qualify.
- You choose your groceries. Our pantries are shelves and carts, not pre-packed bags.
- Nobody asks why. A hard month needs groceries, not a backstory.
If your fridge is empty
Need food this week?
Come as you are. No ID, no referral, no cost, no explaining. Six pantries and a mobile market run every week — or call (555) 019-FOOD and a neighbor will pick up.
If your table has extra
Have something to give?
Money, time, food, or your voice — every one of them moves meals. Take the 60-second quiz and we'll point you at the single most useful next step for you.