New Jerusalem Food Pantry has been fighting food insecurity in Pierce County for more than 35 years. It’s safe to say, they are no strangers to the ups and downs faced by the emergency food system. Prior to the spread of COVID-19, in addition to their food assistance services, staff from the food pantry would go to the Hilltop area and feed unhoused people throughout the neighborhood. They also served meals to the Tiny House Site on 8th and MLK Jr Way, but are now restricted to their single pantry location. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, the food pantry hasn’t closed – a status the staff are proud of. In the face of adversity, they have once again adjusted their self-select method to continue to feed our neighbors in need.

Approximately 32,000 pounds of food are distributed to around 1,000 neighbors each month. In September 2020, 1,159 guests were served from the food pantry. Emergency Food Network partners with New Jerusalem to provide about half of this food, the rest come from direct donations. A typical guest experience includes check-in and recording the household size and zip code. Everyone wears a mask and uses hand sanitizer before entering and selecting food. The five staff members are championed by volunteers who perform a variety of tasks from unloading, delivering, bagging, and serving food.

Food Pantry Director, Greg Bronston, is motivated by what he describes as a spiritual calling to do the hard work of feeding the community. He says, “25 years ago, during my military service, The Lord put a mission down inside of me.” However, he doesn’t share his faith unless someone asks him to. He shared that there are days where clients are in tears of gratitude for receiving loads of food. Many who are food insecure do not have resources for other expenses, which is why New Jerusalem also houses a clothing closet. They receive phone calls from people in need of clothing like business suits for a job interview. Their clothing closet is stocked with donated clothes that are vetted by staff and volunteers like Ms. Lidia, who is from Romania and translates for the organization’s Romanian clients. When vetting clothing donations the staff and volunteers hold a standard that they will not keep and distribute anything they would not put on their own body.

“There is no reason for anyone to go hungry in Pierce County,” says Director Greg Bronston. The emergency food system consisting of more than 80 partnering food pantries and meal sites is readily equipped to feed any neighbor in need. From Mr. Bronston’s observations, increases in the cost of food has had profound effects on many members of the Pierce County community. Mr. Bronston cautions that people avoid stereotyping pantry guests. For example, if a food pantry guest is driving an Escalade or a BMW they could be living in the vehicle or it may be the last thing they have after a financial downfall. One never knows another’s story so it is best not to judge.

The greatest help to New Jerusalem right now would be an increase in volunteers in the 17-21 age group. Mr. Bronston thinks volunteering would help them understand needs greater than their own.