Hunger is a real problem in every corner of the world, and Jefferson City is no different.
"Many people do not realize the number of hungry people we have living in our city," said Sherrie Downs, co-coordinator of The Pantry. "People who are working but do not have the money to feed themselves or their families adequately."
The Pantry, 409 Ellis Blvd., is a food-sharing ministry of Table of Grace Church (Disciples of Christ) supported by a wide variety of local congregations, groups and individuals.
This food-sharing ministry provides families with recipes and the food to prepare all meals for three days from scratch.
"We are providing the meals, recipes, help teach people how to read recipes and shop for them," Downs said. "It is about helping them to have good meals and good skills."
The program's goal is to provide food to alleviate hunger in the short term while providing cooking skills and resources to families in need.
Downs said it is about helping those who need it most.
"At The Pantry, not only do we want to help feed people, we want to empower them so they can make better food for themselves and their families," she said. "We have created a way to help people get more food with less money."
The Pantry has monthly distribution day the fourth Friday of each month from 1-7 p.m at 409 Ellis Blvd.
Helping combat hunger is the reason for the annual CROP walk starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The Rev. Dave Henry, of Disciples of Christ Church, said the annual walk raises money to help combat hunger here and abroad.
"We hope to raise $4,000 this year," he said. "Of that, 75 percent will go to Church World Services for its hunger programs, and the other 25 percent will stay in Jefferson City at The Pantry."
The Pantry recently relocated to its new location on Ellis Boulevard, on a bus route, which has allowed more people in the area to take advantage of its services.
Downs said 869 families (3,168 people) received food from the center in 2015. With the new more accessible location, they hope to increase the program's reach from an average of 73 families per month to an average of 100 families, or 3,650 people per month.
The Capitol Area Interfaith Alliance is a sponsor of the CROP Walk. Henry said the walk is 3 miles long and will start at the Soldier's Memorial on the campus of Lincoln University, wind downtown passing the Capitol and end again at the university. Water stations will be placed along the route, which the average walker can complete in 90 minutes.
For more information about the CROP walk, call 636-2149.
For more information about The Pantry, visit www.thepantryjc.org.