People’s PopUp Pantry helps ease grocery burdens

Knowing that many people are struggling to make ends meet with inflation driving up the cost of groceries and more, three community advocates have started a food pantry.

The People’s PopUp Pantry is open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays outside Coyote Central, 2300 E. Cherry St., across from Garfield High School.

“This was born out of the pandemic and the need that people have,” Monica Jones de Borges said.

She said the idea is that everybody who comes can take what they need. Volunteers ask people to sign in so the food bank that provides the food can keep track of how many people are being helped each week, but Jones de Borges said they don’t ask people about their incomes.

“It’s really a community food pantry,” she said.

The pantry has gained in popularity since it first started in early March, but Jones de Borges said they could use more volunteers who are needed from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on pantry days. Currently, about 12 people are volunteering, but Jones de Borges said ideally they would have about 70 to ensure operations run smoothly and an adequate number of people are always available on pantry days.

For more information on the pantry or how to volunteer, email de Borges at Monica@peoplespopuppantry.com.