The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Lancaster faces increased demand amid rising costs, distributing 145,000 pounds of food monthly.
LANCASTER, Texas — At the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Lancaster, cars were stacked like prayers. Sidikat Osifo, a Lancaster resident, arrived at their senior food distribution. She was told she had to be added to a waiting list.
“Over the last couple of years at the society just an increasing need with prices going up across the board for everything from rent, utility, you know, etc., medications. We try to do everything we can to try and provide support there,” said Louis Gonzalez, Society of St. Vincent de Paul North Texas CEO.
They’ve even taken on clients from a nearby pantry that closed and share food with Catholic Charities Jan Pruitt Community Pantry. Supervisor Hannah Eubanks said federal cuts and changes have limited supplies.
“We order our food from NTFB,” Eubanks said. “It’s kind of hit or miss, and we’ve had to go down on quantities a lot.”
She said that has made it harder to meet the 90% increase in clients from last year. Then, they served 50,000 pounds of food a month. That has now grown to 145,000 pounds.
“I think a lot of cuts to SNAP, Medicare and Medicaid — a lot of people are coming in either they lost them completely or it’s cut,” Eubanks said. “Through our partnership with Saint Vincent de Paul, it actually helps fill the gaps.”
Walmart donates food to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Their volunteer, Rowena Roberson, said they give about 30 pounds of non-perishable items to each client for their families.
“It’s more fulfilling to me to be able to help them,” Roberson said.
WFAA asked Osifo if the donations helped. “What are you talking about? Every little thing helps in this day and time. We’d better be grateful for what we get,” she responded.
Although she had to be added to a waiting list, she was able to receive some items.
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