Catholic Charities urges food donations as shutdown enters week four and demand rises

Diocese of St. Augustine Contributor The Diocese of St. Augustine is urging the community to support Catholic Charities and parish food pantries as the federal shutdown continues and Thanksgiving and the holidays approach. Rising food, housing and utility costs, along with uncertainty about federal aid, are causing more families and seniors in Columbia, Suwannee and surrounding rural communities to seek help. Catholic Charities Lake City, an agency of the Diocese of St. Augustine, reports one of the most significant increases in food requests in recent years. In 2024, the agency’s food pantry served an average of 3,004 families per quarter. In 2025, that number rose to 4,670 — a 55% i