Matthew 25:35 Ministries is making a big impact in St. Charles Parish. This April, the food pantry served over 300 households during “Need to Feed” month. According to Mary Anne Schindler, the pantry’s director, they have helped 1,200 families since the beginning of 2026.
Recently, they’ve noticed a shift. Families who hadn’t visited the pantry in months—or even a year—are returning. Large families, especially those with six or more members, are signing up for monthly support. This increase highlights a growing need in the community.
U.S. food prices have gone up about 2.9% since January, with grocery costs rising about 2.1%. In Louisiana, one in six households faces food insecurity, as reported by the USDA. This makes the work of food banks like Matthew 25:35 even more crucial.
Last year, federal funding for food assistance in Louisiana dropped significantly. Second Harvest Food Bank lost around $9.4 million in federal support. Schindler explained that before these cuts, the pantry got most of its food from Second Harvest, which included USDA supplies. Now, their delivery trucks have seen a sharp decline in what they can bring. From a maximum of 10,000 pounds, they now receive only 2,500 to 3,500 pounds. This decline also affects meat supplies, which are vital for many families.
To fill the gap, food banks across the country are relying more on donations and community support. “We believe the generous people of St. Charles Parish will step up,” Schindler said.
During “Need to Feed” month, various local groups, such as Ochsner Hospital, St. Charles Women’s Club, and J.B. Martin Middle School, organized food drives. Reginelli’s Pizza is also contributing by donating 10% of sales on the first Wednesday of each month when customers specify their support for the pantry. This month alone, they raised $2,500 in donations.
The pantry is always looking for volunteers. Besides distributing food weekly, they also run programs that bring food to local schools and libraries.
On May 21, they plan to hold a hurricane preparedness session for residents, showing their commitment to community education. Schindler expressed interest in finding people to offer workshops on budgeting, nutrition, and gardening.
Matthew 25:35 Ministries operates as a nonprofit from St. Charles United Methodist Church. “Our mission goes beyond handing out food. We aim to care for each other like family,” Schindler shared.
This spirit of community support is vital as food insecurity remains a pressing issue. Continued engagement from local organizations and individuals can make a meaningful difference.
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