According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 14 million children (1 in 5) live with food insecurity in the United States. This is the highest rates since 2014.
The definition of food insecurity is not having access to sufficient food to meet one’s basic needs.
People in Wayne may not be aware of families that exist in their own communities that are dealing with food insecurities. In Wayne, soup kitchens, warming shelters and/or homeless areas are not seen. Even though a family may have a roof over their head, the stomachs of their children may be empty when they go to sleep at night.
Children experiencing food insecurity often have lower test scores, increased absenteeism, tardiness, difficulty concentrating, poorer grades, increased stress, anxiety, social isolation, behavioral problems and difficulty with social skills.
Long term effects for children can lower their chances of graduating from high school, increasing their chances for chronic health problems and unfortunately, they can continue a cycle of poverty for their future generations.
Families experiencing food insecurity may be ashamed to ask for help due to the stigma of not having enough food. Asking for help is difficult and can make a person feel like they aren’t good enough because they can’t provide for their family.
Kelly Ptacek of Wayne, along with her husband, Greg, became aware of food insecurity in the Wayne community. Kelly is an elementary special education teacher with Wayne Community Schools. She became aware of families in the community that do not have enough resources to feed their family.
Kelly said, “What do you do when you only have enough money to pay either the electric bill or buy food?”
In 2020, Kelly and Greg went to work along with Greg’s father, Steve, building the Byrd House mini food pantry. The food pantry is located on the corner next to Johnnie Byrd Brewing Company on West Second Street and Pearl Street.
At first, the Ptaceks stocked the pantry with their own resources. Regular customers at Johnnie Byrd Brewing Company started providing food and funds to keep the pantry full. They estimate they feed four to six families a week.
Five years later, the Byrd House is still providing food to families in the community.
Kelly has such a big heart for all the children she works with. She also has a huge desire to help eliminate the stigma that comes along with food insecurity. People that have trouble making ends meet should feel comfortable asking for and receiving help.
The community provides a monthly drive-up food pantry, the Wayne Food Pantry, located at the First Presbyterian Church, and the School Backpack Program. These services assist many families in the Wayne community.
Kelly said she knew the community had services to help people with food insecurity. She said after educating herself she found out the residents of Wayne may only visit the Wayne Food Pantry three times a year to get a three-week supply of food on each visit. Building the mini food pantry was one way to help people all year round.
The Ptaceks encourage anyone who is hungry or in need of food to visit the pantry. The pantry is a free, quick and safe place for people of all ages. A place to help normalize needing help with food insecurities.
Items are always needed to keep the pantry full. Anyone can place items inside the pantry at any time. They do ask to keep the pantry full of items that are new, nonperishable, not expired and food you would eat yourself.
Items that are always in need are personal care items, ramen, easy to eat food, boxed meals, and snacks. Please do not leave trash or glass items.
Toiletries like toilet paper, soap and toothpaste will stay stocked in the pantry for only a few hours.
The Ptaceks encourage anyone to donate, drop off what you can or donate at www.johnniebyrd.beer/birdhouse so they can always keep their pantry stocked.
Please join the Ptaceks in helping people in the community to not go hungry and encourage people to ask for help without judgement. This would be a wonderful way to assist them in erasing the stigma.
