Who Needs Food Pantries? Meet Malachi and Lori

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Malachi Greene and Lori Yahn sat outside Crispus Attucks Community Center in Lancaster, taking a break before returning to their East King Street apartment with their allotment of groceries from the center’s food pantry.

The budget for their household, which includes Yahn’s 16-year-old daughter, is precarious. Asked if the food pantry is the difference between eating and going hungry, Greene replied: “Absolutely.”

“We get to come here for essentials that we desperately need,” he said. They can’t afford to buy things like eggs and meat: “They’re just too expensive.”

Malachi & Lori: Malachi Greene and Lori Yahn sit outside Crispus Attucks Community Center in Lancaster on Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (Photo: Tim Stuhldreher)

 Greene, 22, lost his job as a cashier in October, a part-time position that brought in about $15,000 a year. His application for unemployment insurance was rejected, but he is receiving SNAP benefits — as he was while working.

Yahn, 47, is disabled. She receives Supplemental Security Income, SSI, and has a Section 8 voucher, which covers much of their rent.

She secured the voucher five years ago. At the time she was living at Tenfold’s TLC transitional living center, after fleeing domestic violence.

Crispus Attucks’ food pantry is open every other Wednesday. Yahn and Greene estimated their four bags of groceries would cover about 25% of their food needs. Normally, it’s closer to 50%, but they were taking home less than usual: Greene is recovering from surgery for a deviated septum, and isn’t allowed to carry anything heavy for a few more days.

Because of his surgery, they missed the food pantry’s previous cycle. They felt the lack, Yahn said: “We were really struggling.”

She’s been a regular for two years or so, she said. The food pantry’s changeover from pre-packaged boxes to a pick-your-own format has been a godsend, she said. This way, she doesn’t have to take any canned goods – they’re something she tries to avoid due to their typically high sodium content.

Crispus Attucks’ staff and volunteers are so welcoming and encouraging, Greene said: “I love the people here.”

The two said they’re terrified at the prospect of federal funding cuts, and what they could mean for the programs they rely on. Everywhere you turn, there’s news that this or that program could be cut, Yahn said.

“It’s a very scary situation right now,” she said.