PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria’s “Porch Pantry” is bare.
The effort started on the porch of Charles and Kelli Martin’s West Bluff home near Ellis and Elizabeth is seeing even more activity now than they did at the start of the pandemic, leaving the shelves empty more often than not.
“We’re hurting,” Martin tells 25 News. “We’re seeing an influx of people now, more than when we did back when the pandemic first hit. We’re seeing that influx of people again.”
Martin blames the lesser inventory on the high cost of food.
“People are always like, ‘Do you guys have anything?’ I’m like, ‘I have what’s out here. You’re welcome to what’s out here, but I really don’t have anything,’” said Martin. “If you go through your cabinets and you find stuff you’re not reaching for just bring it here.”
in the meantime, Martin says he has helped people who have come by to find a meal.
You can take donations to Porch Pantry Peoria at 1122 N. Ellis. You can also visit Porch Pantry Peoria, Ltd. on Facebook.
