Local food bank in need of help

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida food bank that helps grandparents raising grand kids is in need of the community's help.

The Pantry in Fort Lauderdale is a lifesaver for some of Broward County's elderly. "We have 425 families every month, and out of those are 166 grand kids," said Pantry staff Penny Loughan.

The Pantry helps many grandparents raising their grandchildren with food every month. They give out about 24,000 pounds of food every month. "Like I get about $60 of food stamps, so this is a lot of help, you know," said Pantry client Ernestine McGowan.

"No box goes without cereal, jelly, peanut butter, hamburger helper and pasta," said Pantry staffer Terrence Smalley.

Smalley said because kids are on summer vacation, they are in more need of food to give out. "Like last month, we only brought in 30,000 pounds, and we put out 24,000 pounds, and its during the summer months because during June, July and August, kids are out of school so they need more food at home," he said.

They Pantry is hoping the community will come together to re-fill their shelves with canned goods. "The hope is that someday the grandkids, in return, will take care of the grandparents," said Loughan, "so we are trying to make sure that the grandkids get an education, that they get training, so that someday they will be the caretaker of their grandparents."

If you would like to help the Pantry click here: http://www.thepantryofbroward.org/

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