An aging, leaky roof is putting one of eastern Hamilton County's busiest food pantries in a bind just as more neighbors than ever are walking through its doors, staff say.
At Southeastern Ecumenical Ministries' food pantry, volunteers have been hustling to patch leaks and shuffle boxes out of drip zones to keep donations dry. The workarounds help for now, but leaders warn the quick fixes are no match for a 40-year-old roof. The pantry operates a client-choice model and serves thousands of households in eastern Hamilton County.
SEM reports it helped a little over 28,000 people in 2025, and that demand through May of this year is already up 29% compared with the same period last year, according to Local 12. Roughly two-thirds of those visitors are first-time clients, a sign that rising grocery costs are pushing new households to seek emergency food assistance.
The facility, built in 1983, still has its original roof and has developed multiple leaks, director Charlie Gentry told Local 12. "It's only going to get worse," he said, noting that repairs so far have been temporary. SEM has already invested about $150,000 to convert a former restaurant into the choice pantry and estimates a full roof replacement will cost roughly $45,000.
To cover that bill, SEM is running a campaign called "A Roof Over Our Mission" and plans a fundraiser on Aug. 30 at the Anderson Center, according to the organization's campaign page. The listing on Givebutter includes event details, a donation form and a public goal set at $45,000.
Why the need is growing
Grocery inflation nationwide, especially steep increases in meat and other protein prices, has left many families stretching thinner food budgets. National analysis shows the meats, poultry, fish and eggs category has climbed more than 36% since January 2020, a hit that helps explain why SEM and other local pantries are reporting spikes in first-time visitors and heavier weekly traffic.
How to help
Those who want to support the pantry can find donation options or volunteer information on SEM's website, which lists the roof campaign and contact details for the pantry. For immediate food assistance, SEM also publishes a client hotline at (513) 231-1412 on its site: SEM Food Pantry.
