Donations down, needs up, Stewpot asking for community's help | Community Spirit

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - For the first time in two years, Stewpot Community Services is asking the Jackson Metro community to help replenish its pantry.

Stewpot Food Services Director Nancy Dennis said a combination of dwindling donations and an increase in need -- both attributed to the economy -- is the reason food supplies are running so low, according to a news release.

“We are seeing people that we have never see before coming for food,” Dennis said.

Stewpot is an interfaith ministry that has been providing assistance at no charge to the homeless and others in need in the Jackson area for 30 years.  Stewpot regularly assists more than 650 people, said Executive Director Frank Spencer.

Stewpot provides more than 425 free meals a day with its lunch program and shelters and provides groceries for 100 people from its food pantry, Spencer said. Aside from the holiday turkey meals, this is the first time in two years Stewpot has had to ask the community for assistance.

Stewpot is asking for nutrious snacks for the 100 plus children who attend the Stewpot After School Program. Other food needs include:

Lunch program needs:

• Large cans of vegetables
• Proteins (deer meet, hams, hamburger, sausage)

Food pantry needs:

• Canned vegetables
• Meats
• Soups
• Peanut butter
• Sugar
• Flour
• Cereals
• Beans

Stewpot Community Services is located at 1100 W. Capitol St., in Jackson. For more information, call Stewpot at  (601) 353-2759.

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