The Perry Area Food Pantry reports an increase in usage last year since the coronavirus pandemic began. 

In the pre-pandemic year of 2019, 295 different families consisting of 913 individuals were served at the pantry compared to 2020 where 446 different families consisting of 1,619 individuals used the pantry. 

Due to the increased amount of people using the food pantry, that means the costs to serve them also went up. The Perry Area Emergency Food Council budgeted $18,500 for commodity purchases for 2020,  but the actual figure was $32,989. 

Additionally, families are allowed to use the pantry once during the  month, with 73-percent of people used the pantry 1-3 times, 20-percent 4-6 times, five-percent 7-9 times and only two-percent used the pantry 10-12 times. 

The food pantry received almost $37,000 in personal donations and supported local merchants with $28,580 in direct purchases or coupon redemption.