Peg Holland felt a wave of concern as she surveyed the empty shelves at the Brown Bag Food Project in Bowling Green last Friday. Essential items like peanut butter, pasta, and cereal were missing. The pantry had run out just when the need was growing.
“We knew people were counting on us,” Peg reflected.
For the first time in nearly a decade, Peg and her daughter, Amy, who run the pantry, chose not to open on Monday. Each month, the Brown Bag feeds around 311 families—about 1,200 people total. After recent federal cuts, local food banks are facing challenges meeting these rising demands. While donations from the community remain strong, Peg noted that they’re not stretching as far due to the soaring costs of groceries.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration slashed $1 billion meant to support food banks and school meal programs. This has directly affected the Brown Bag Food Project. Their biweekly deliveries from the Toledo Northwest Foodbank have decreased from six or seven pallets to just five or six. From SeaGate Foodbank, they now receive close to 1.5 pallets instead of three.
“The cuts have made a huge difference,” Peg said. “We just aren’t receiving enough food.”
Fortunately, good news came on Tuesday. A truck delivered supplies along with a much-anticipated donation. Thanks to a fundraiser during Bowling Green’s second annual Restaurant Week, the pantry received a $10,000 check. This event saw 27 local businesses participate, donating a percentage of their sales to the Brown Bag.
“This support means the world to us,” Peg expressed while accepting the check. “It will really help us in the coming weeks.”
Businesses like Easystreet and Call of the Canyon organized the restaurant week. Co-owners Ardy Gonyer and Tim Emmerich emphasized the community’s role in helping address hunger. “They work so hard and serve so many,” Emmerich noted, highlighting the pressing needs in the area.
After the donation event, Peg and Amy returned to the pantry, sorting through fresh deliveries. They carefully inspect all food items to ensure quality—only products fit for their own families should go to clients.
“If I wouldn’t eat it, our clients shouldn’t have it,” Peg stated firmly.
In addition to food, they also received hygiene items, including conditioner, even though they were short on shampoo. They often get creative with what they have, like putting together birthday kits for families, complete with cake mix and decorations to make the day special.
“It may not be necessary, but it’s a nice touch,” Peg added.
The community’s effort and support during these tough times reflect a larger push in the U.S. to address food insecurity, which has greatly increased in recent years. According to the USDA, in 2021, approximately 10.5% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity, a significant increase from earlier figures. Initiatives like the Brown Bag Food Project will be crucial as they continue adapting to these challenges.
You can learn more about their mission and ways to help by visiting Brown Bag Food Project.
