LANSING, N.Y. (WHCU) – The Lansing Food Pantry has seen a spike in service.

For the first six months of 2023, the pantry provided groceries to an average of 200 clients a month. That number jumped to 250 in July, and 317 in August, an increase of nearly 60 percent.

Officials believe the increase in service is likely a result of the Lansing Lunchbox Program refocusing its efforts on providing snacks at school for students enrolled in the district. During the pandemic, the Lunchbox Program expanded service to groceries as kids did not have the same access to affordable school meals on a regular basis.

Earlier this summer, the Lansing Food Pantry began a renovation project that will add an additional 1,300 square feet to the growing operation. Construction is slated to finish sometime this fall.