Brown Bag Program

The Food Pantry is proud of its 34+year history as a food support center that serves over 3,000 people and distributes over 300,000 pounds of food every year.  Unlike other pantries that provide only enough food for a few days, the Food Pantry gives residents in crisis a 30-day supply of healthy food, one-on-one assistance in filling out applications (Food Stamps, Medicaid, etc), as well as providing financial help (rent/utilities), education classes, and information and referrals (legal aid, MHMR).  They also provide vulnerable populations like seniors, individuals with disabilities, and youth with specialized programming. These clients receive personal care items and in non-pandemic times are also offered social activities, and nutrition, and financial education. The wrap-around services provide residents in crisis an opportunity to get back on their feet and not have to worry about where their next meal is going to come from.

Addressing the dilemma that many senior citizens face between the cost of essentials and the limits of income is the goal of the Food Pantry’s “Brown Bag” program. Aimed at low-income seniors, the Pantry regularly provides supplemental supplies of nutritious food and hygiene supplies.

Brown Bag members enjoy a monthly bag of nutritious groceries on the third Thursday of each month and weekly supplemental food items throughout the month. BCEFP, in cooperation with area retailers, provides an assortment of fresh bread, baked goods, fruits, vegetables, and meats on a first-come, first-serve basis between 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays (see whole grains program).