ANAHEIM, Calif. – Despite numerous measures instituted at the state and federal levels throughout the U.S., many people heading into this holiday season face food insecurity. The most recent numbers available from the USDA are for 2020 and indicate that 38.3 million people (14.8%) live in food-insecure households. Of those numbers, 6.1 million are children.
While the national average for food insecure households is 10.5%, certain groups had a much higher percentage. Households with a single parent, households that were below the $26,246 family of four poverty line, and Black and Hispanic households reflected double or some in cases nearly triple the national average for food insecurity.
As pandemic numbers decline, some assistance programs like the extended unemployment benefits and the moratorium on evictions have ended. People who have been able to get meals and basic hygiene, and household necessities are once again slipping through the cracks. Additionally, many barriers still exist between people in need and facilities and organizations that provide assistance.
There are no official numbers for how many people that identify as Pagan or Wiccan more recent than the Pew Research Center Religious Landscape Study published in 2015.
At that time, Pagans and Wiccans made up 0.03% of respondents to the survey. While this is a minute fraction of the more than 332 million people living in the US today, it is likely that those who identify as Pagans and Wiccans have continued to increase. It is also likely that some are experiencing food insecurity alongside millions of others across the country.
One issue for some who do not identify as Christian is that so many food banks and pantries are faith-based—more specifically, Christian-based. As many as two-thirds of all food banks and pantries are faith-based, according to the USDA. Assistance is often accompanied by religious pamphlets, requests for prayers, or even proselytizing.
Reports of complaints about some assistance programs that covertly or overtly discriminate against LGBTQIA+ communities, and both documented and anecdotal accounts have contributed to discomfort or unwillingness to seek help from such organizations.
Other barriers to accessing assistance include distance or lack of transportation. Some food pantries and assistance programs are only open during the day when many people are working or are in school.
Pagan-led pantries continue to serve
As we have previously reported, there are some who have stepped into the gap to provide assistance to anyone who needs it.
Wren Estremo, owner of The Dragon and The Rose in Santa Ana, California, reports that the food pantry running out of the store location continues to offer food and basic necessities like toilet paper, toothpaste, and baby items to whoever needs them, no questions asked.
The Dragon and The Rose – Image credit: R. Mohan
It is extremely important to Wren Estremo to continue growing the pantry and expanding further into the community to lend a helping hand to several organizations during this holiday season. She’s partnered with two local groups.
Gobble Gobble Give puts together warm, homecooked meals as well as toiletry kits and clothing and blankets to help unhoused neighbors in the community. The Dragon and The Rose has worked with Gobble Gobble Give before, and this year they are pledging to match all the funds they raise. There are several funding levels:
- $10 can serve four a complete Thanksgiving meal and a survival kit
- $20 can serve eight a complete Thanksgiving meal and a survival kit$50 serves 20 a full Thanksgiving meal and a survival kit
- $100 serves 40 a complete Thanksgiving meal and a survival kit
- $500 can serve an entire city block of unhoused neighbors
This year, Gobble Gobble Give plans to hit the streets in ten major cities.
The Dragon and The Rose is also accepting donations of blankets and new socks for Rock N Socks Live from Skid Row, which takes items to neighbors in need living on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles.
Arielle’s Table is the in-store pantry open all year round to whoever needs help. Estremo, her staff, and customers keep the shelves stocked with non-perishable food and everyday items that anyone can access discreetly during store hours.
There are often baby items available for new parents and even pet items. Anyone wishing to support the pantry can bring non-expired, non-perishable food items, toiletries, household items, and baby and pet needs to the store Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. They also accept monetary donations.
Anyone with questions or needing assistance in the Santa Ana area and surrounding cities can call (714) 569-0100, visit the website, or stop by the physical location at 2424 N Grand Ave Unit K, in Santa Ana California.
Pagan-run food pantries around the U.S.
Pagans In Need continues to operate in the Lansing, Michigan area. People in need of assistance can visit the pantry inside Keys to Manifestation at 809 Center St., Ste 7 in Lansing, Michigan. For more information, visit their Facebook page. To make a contribution and support their work, you can join them on Patreon.
The website home page of Pagans in Need features a cornucopia and the organization’s motto: “May you never hunger — may you never thirst.”
Pagans living in the Richmond, Virginia area can contact The Little Pagan Pantry in RVA via Facebook for the pickup location and time.
The Pagan Path operates Gaia’s Garden, located at 716 Sandy Cross Rd, in Reidsville, North Carolina. The pantry serves the community on the fourth Wednesday of every month, from 4-6 PM. Those in need can access non-perishable food and may also get fresh produce and eggs if they are in stock. Other available items include hygiene and baby items.
Their website list which items they need and provides information for making a monetary donation. Because Gaia’s Garden is a client’s choice pantry, they often list specific things a person or family has requested.
Additional Food Resources
Food insecurity can strike suddenly. Some people struggle to put food on the table yet may not qualify for assistance in the form of SNAP or EBT benefits. While many states have made it easier to qualify, many people find they do not meet the income requirements.
Whether someone thinks they are eligible for help or not, the best place to begin is by calling 2-1-1, which will connect the caller with resources in their particular area. 2-1-1 may give referrals to the closest food pantries or local assistance organizations that are located in a church or are faith-based; however, each call is confidential, and workers may be able to identify resources that are not faith-based.
If you know of a Pagan-run food pantry in your area that has not been mentioned, contact us with information about the pantry.
Editorial Note – After this story originally ran, Mother Grove Goddess Temple in Asheville, N.C. contacted us and provided the following statement:
The Mother Grove Goddess Temple in Asheville, NC, has a food pantry that is open to all, though our clients are mostly Pagan. The pantry is located in our Temple space near downtown Asheville. We suggest that those who attend our public rituals bring contributions of nonperishable food items, and Asheville Raven and Crone, a local shop, also serves as a drop-off point for contributions of both food and monetary donations. Our food pantry is open by appointment.
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