For many Pearl River County residents, food insecurity means a meal may not be on the table every day.

To help put food on the table, a number of local organizations have stepped up to establish food pantries.

These organizations have been successful in supplementing the food assistance low-income families already receive, ensuring that there are fewer instances of low income folks going without a meal.

Now, with the establishment of a soup kitchen set to open Saturday, these residents have another layer of assistance.

Statewide, more than 21 percent of households deal with food insecurity, according to previous coverage in the Item.

The primary cause is due to poverty. Within Pearl River County close to 20 percent of households are within the poverty line, meaning most if not all of those people also deal with food insecurity.

This problem is especially difficult to overcome when living on a fixed income.

Since Picayune is a certified retirement community, many of our residents are senior citizens, many of whom are living on a fixed income.

Combine this information with the fact that the cost of purchasing food continuously increases, there is a real need for extra help in our communities.

This information is not new to anyone in this area. City officials and church leaders also know of the need, leading to the establishment of the soup kitchen. Now, these needy families will have a place to get a hot meal ready to go. It’s great to provide people with canned food, bread and other non-perishable food items so they can prepare a healthy dish at home. But it’s also nice to not have to cook once in a while.

That is where the soup kitchen comes in. Not only are needy families getting a hot meal, it’s already prepared so there’s no dishes to wash.

We commend these community leaders for meeting a need and hope that those efforts will be well received.