SAN ANGELO, Texas — Toilet paper is one of those items that's been high in demand and short in supply at times for the past couple of years, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is one of the reasons the United Family partnered with the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank to provide toilet paper for its local agencies such as soup kitchens and church food pantries, which typically collect such supplies to distribute to people in need.
Lee Pipkin, Concho Valley Regional Food Bank executive director, said this product is one of the items sometimes not available.
"It's up to the families that are in need to hopefully come to one of our pantries and save some money by getting food that way and then what money they do have, they can spend on some of the items like toilet paper that may not be available," Pipkin said.
The regional food bank has been in partnership with the United Family for more than 30 years, serving more than 13 counties in the Concho Valley. In 2020, the nonprofit distributed more than 3.3 million pounds of food in keeping with its mission to distribute warehouse grocery products for those who do not have access.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, toilet paper continued to fly off grocery store shelves and is a hot commodity.
Lane Strickland, Market Street assistant store manager, said he and his store team wanted to step in and help.
"It's just a different way that we can help out others other than just food. Since COVID has hit, everything has changed, and that's just one thing that can reach more people in a different way," Strickland said.
Agencies like local soup kitchens and church pantries are expected to pick up the toilet paper in the coming days to then distribute to community members in need.
To find out more, contact the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank at 325-655-3231.