A charitable food pantry has reduced its weekly visitations to twice a month for the rest of the year.

The Eliza DoLittle Society made the decision after a financial review found the cut was necessary to build food security, cut costs and maintain necessary support.

Reduced hours are expected to take pressure off the charity, during which time it will roll out a coordinated fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $200,000.

Clare Mello-Robinson, the executive director, explained the charity was seeing an “unprecedented demand for food assistance” and that more than a hundred people were waiting for assistance — levels not seen since the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

She added: “These families and individuals face increasing challenges meeting basic needs.

“Global instability, including conflicts affecting shipping costs and food supply chains, is making local pressures worse for vulnerable households.”

The shift to the new twice-monthly model will run between May 1 and December 31.

The charity’s plan includes a new online donation platform, boosting individual giving and expanding the charity’s donor network.

It said the measures would reinforce financial stability and ensure smooth service roll-out.

“Acting now enables The Eliza DoLittle Society to continue raising funds from a position of strength, promoting enduring sustainability rather than responding out of urgency,” it said.

The Eliza DoLittle Society has been in service in Bermuda for more than 20 years and serves 1,555 people. Of those, 96 per cent face unemployment or underemployment, are on a fixed income or struggle with rising costs.

In the past four years, the charity has assisted about 2,433 people, or 875 households, who together made 16,096 annual pantry visits, each receiving a nutritious bag of groceries.

The Eliza DoLittle Society said while it did not receive government funding, it hoped to build on its partnership with the Government in support of shared community goals.

Ms Mello-Robinson thanked the community and partners for assisting The Eliza DoLittle Society and encouraged others to donate to its Butterfield Bank account: 2000 6060 20757 0100.

• For more information about the charity, visittheelizadolittlesociety.bm