ARNOLD, Mo. - Patrick McKelvey, executive director of the Gateway Food Pantry in Arnold, points to a March tornado and current economic conditions as reasons for why many of the pantry’s reserve shelves are empty.

“We’ve never seen our reserve food supplies so low before,” he said. “This is something we did not see coming.”

McKelvey said the value of food on their shelves this year through August is more than $300,000 less than what it was last year at this time. 

“We’re trying to fight a wildfire with a water gun right now,” he said.  “We don’t have the ability to make up a $300,000 loss in food supply.”

McKelvey is turning to the public for help. Pantry supporters are delivering empty bags to 20,000 area households to request donations.

“This is the Hail Mary,” said McKelvey. “You can either give up and give your clients less, or you can go to your community and ask for help, and that’s what we’re doing.”

He said donations can also be dropped off in person. The pantry is located at 2024 Key West Drive, Arnold, MO 63010. 

Theresa Martin, 85, a client for 10 years, said “it makes a big difference.”

McKelvey said a recent survey of the pantry’s more than 200 clients revealed that without the food supplied by the pantry, clients would struggle to pay for back-to-school supplies, medical expenses and utility bills.

Tony Barbour, a pantry volunteer and a client, said the food he receives helps him pay his bills.

“If I didn’t get this food here, I might not be able to pay that electric bill,” said Barbour.  “It’s a big help.”