By Elizabeth Landry
Staff writer
The United States government has shut down several times in recent decades. But when another shutdown began on October 1, 2025, lasting 44 days and becoming the most significant shutdown in U.S. history, many Americans were significantly impacted. Federal workers stopped receiving paychecks, and on November 1, families who rely on monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits received no funds, leaving them without the means to purchase groceries.
At the same time, the country continued to grapple with high unemployment numbers.
According to the August 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, household survey data showed the unemployment rate was 4.3% and the number of unemployed people was 7.4 million. The report also showed the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was 1.9 million, changing little over the short term, but increasing by 385,000 since August 2024. Additionally, the long-term unemployed accounted for 25.7% of all unemployed people (bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf).
It’s not only those who are unemployed or underemployed who are suffering from food insecurity and hunger, but also the elderly, retirees, and working families who cannot make ends meet. With the recent government shutdown, the suspension of SNAP benefits, and skyrocketing grocery prices, food pantries across the country face challenges keeping up with the increased demand for basic provisions.
The Catholic Sun spoke with coordinators from two parish-operated food pantries within the Diocese of Syracuse — one located in an urban area and the other in a rural community — to better understand how recent events have impacted their operations. These pantries rely on the generosity of parishioners, area businesses, and neighbors for donations.
St. John’s Outreach, Utica
The food pantry at Historic Old St. John’s Church in Utica, St. John’s Outreach, is operated by Sister Paula Mayer, DC. Correlating with the recent disruption in SNAP benefits, Sr. Paula said she and her staff of volunteers have seen a significant increase in the number of families coming to the pantry to help make ends meet.
“I would say it’s about a third more than we have had in the past, and many of them we’ve never seen before. They’re not even in our area, but they just come,” said Sister Paula. “We’re in the downtown area, and so we’re more prominent … we do give them food and help them the best we can, and because of that, our food goes quickly.”
However, alongside the increased need for food, Sr. Paula also emphasized just how generous individuals in the parish and in the community have continued to be, donating not only food but also personal and household supplies. She said that each month, the parish includes a list of the most needed items in the bulletin, and parishioners respond very generously. Recently, Sr. Paula said she received a check in the mail for a large amount of money — an unexpected gift that went directly to stocking the pantry. She also shared a story about a young, college-aged girl and her father, who called to ask if they could bring some food over to the pantry.
“So she, with her father, brought about four bags and one box of food,” Sr. Paula said. “I don’t know if it was all her money that was used, but she was the one who initiated that. And she was so happy to do it. …Then she asked me, ‘Is there anything else that you would like that we could get?’ And I suggested a few other things. It was really extraordinary.”
Overall, Sr. Paula said she is grateful for the generosity of so many people who help with the food pantry, both those who donate and those who volunteer their time.
“We have wonderful volunteers here who help us so much, and we couldn’t go on without their help,” she said. “We are so grateful for their generosity and the help of so many people. God is certainly present.”
St. John’s Outreach is currently very low on diapers and wipes, but donations of other items are always welcome. There is a shed directly outside the pantry where items can be dropped off anytime. Monetary donations are also a great way to help. The pantry is open on Mondays from 9 to 10 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.; Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m.; and Wednesdays from 9 to 10 a.m. It is located at the Sr. Mary Theresa Outreach Center, 1119 Elm St., Utica. Contact St. John’s Outreach at
(315) 525-6157 with any questions.
Mexico Food Pantry, Mexico
Under the auspices of St. Anne, Mother of Mary Parish is the Mexico Food Pantry, located about a half mile from the church. A supplemental pantry which serves individuals within the Mexico School District, families are provided with 15 meals per family member each month. Pantry coordinator Karen Roehm said the pantry has also seen an increase in the number of families it serves.
“We’ve probably seen numbers go up about 25% and a lot more new families coming for assistance,” said Roehm, who attributes the uptick of people utilizing the food pantry to rising food prices and the recent interruption of SNAP benefits. “Although the federal government has since released SNAP funds, not all eligible people are receiving those funds right away,” Roehm explained, and so the heightened need for food assistance is continuing.
In addition to the generous donations from parishioners and local businesses, the Mexico Food Pantry receives support through partnerships with the Food Bank of CNY, local thrift stores, grants (such as recent support received from the Central New York Community Foundation), and a retail partnership with Tops Food Market, which disseminates unsalable food that’s past its sell-by date.
“We’re so appreciative of the community that has really stepped up with donations, and we’re seeing an uptick in both monetary and non-perishable food [donations],” Roehm said. “We’re blessed to be in a community — as small as Mexico is — but we’re getting support from the Greater Oswego County businesses, so it’s been really helpful. We hope that the support continues, because the need continues to grow.”
Roehm shared that she’s personally seen how such generosity affects families in need, especially during the holidays. “We did hear from one family who said that without this [extra food at the holidays], they wouldn’t have a holiday meal,” said Roehm. Others were moved to tears when receiving their supply of food.
Roehm also emphasized that while donations tend to increase during the holiday season, it’s important for the community to remember the individuals and families in need during the rest of the year — particularly once the holidays are over, since donations tend to dry up in January and February.
“The need continues no matter the time of year,” Roehm said. “We’re just appreciative and happy that we can provide this valuable service for everybody in the Mexico community.”
Non-perishable food items are always welcomed at the Mexico Food Pantry — children’s cereals, protein options such as canned tuna and salmon and peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, and spaghetti sauce — and Roehm also emphasized that monetary donations provide immense support. Financial gifts are accepted directly through the food pantry or by making a donation through the Food Bank of CNY. The pantry is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 4 p.m. and it’s located at 5863 Scenic Ave., Mexico. For more information, visit mexicofoodpantry.com (website will be updated soon) and email [email protected] or call 315-963-2235 with any questions.
Want to help food pantries in your area?
This account of two food pantries offers just a snapshot of the status of food pantries around the diocese. To support food pantries in your area, reach out to your parish office to find out if your parish operates a pantry, or ask if there are other charitable efforts in your parish that you can contribute to. Additionally, the Food Bank of Central New York and the Food Bank of the Southern Tier — which together cover the seven counties of the Diocese of Syracuse — offer Food Finder interactive maps on their websites: fbcny.org/findfood and foodbankst.org/find-food. These maps make it easy to locate food pantries and other resource centers in your local community.
Staff writer Eileen Jevis and Editor Tami S. Scott contributed to this story.
