Today, Sunday, September 6, 2026, we’re focusing on two Tomatoe products, one of the core foods for the Pantry’s customers. I told Sarah we would keep at it this week until she says that the tomato projects are “stacked.” She’s out of it right now.
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Urgent Tomato Campaign:
Delmonte Canned Diced Tomatoes with Natural Sea Salt (Pack of 12), $15.86.
Canned Stewed Tomatoes with Onions (Pack of 12), $14.64.
Contadina Tomato Sauce with Italian Herbs (Pack of 12 cans), $22.20.
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I’ll be posting the three tomato items on the Pantry Wish List this week until they can be sent enough to be stocked at the Pantry. It’s their biggest problem at the moment, says Sarah. We’ve also added the items requested yesterday in case anyone missed them.
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Above: Faces of the Pantry volunteers: A birthday party for Gerie, a much-loved Pantry volunteer and founder. She was away for a few weeks and is back to the joy of the volunteers. Gerie has been at the Pantry since the beginning.
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Sarah offers thanks for the cereal arriving in time for this week, and for the backpack kids and the Pantry regulars to have breakfast. I thank you, too.
She asks for help stocking Tomato Products, which have become the Pantry’s biggest problem right now. That’s tomatoes. The shelf is empty. Although farmers and gardeners donate tomatoes, most people at the Pantry take items from the Tomato Products shelf.
Families use them for pasta sauces or casseroles. They are a staple in many dinner recipes, says Sarah.
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Weekend Support Items:
El Paso Canned Refried Beans (Pack of 12), $15.48.
Del Monte Cut Sliced Beets (Pack of 12), $18.28.
Jiffy Pizza Crust Mix (Pack of 6), $12.33.
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A birthday party for Gerie, a much-loved Pantry volunteer and founder.
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Empty tomato shelf.
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These are rough days for the food Pantry, but we are battling back. We bring one bit of good news after another. There are big requests and small requests; tomatoes are a big one. Everyone wants them, and the Pantry is out of them and can’t afford to buy any.
Sarah says her greatest difficulty right now is tomatoes; the Food Bank can no longer provide them, and the shelf is empty. This is a staple for Pantry users I’m planning a week-long campaign to restock them. It might take less time, but if it takes a week, Sarah will let me know.
Last week began as one of the worst weeks in Pantry history; it has emerged as one of the most meaningful and hopeful times, thanks mostly to good people. The Army of Good has been nothing less than heroic.
There are no simple days now and no easy ones.
So far, we have provided every item we have been asked to stock. This is a small but wonderful miracle, an assertion of good hearts and empathy. This is the true heart of Americans.
They are slowly but surely stocking the shelves every few days, and thank you. The response to the breakfast cereal drive was amazing.
Local farmers and gardeners are helping. But the gap is with canned tomato products.
You bring hope and compassion to this Pantry, this community, and people across the country. There are not enough words to show gratitude for what the Army of Good is doing. The Pantry volunteers are amazing. The two are working beautifully together.
Check out the Amazon Pantry Wish List if you can. They need everything on it.
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The ferocious stacking squad: Marylin, Maria, Janet.