CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — People continue to search for food to stock their pantries during this global pandemic.
Bare shelves have become a common sight across the country over the last several weeks.
Like many others, Maria Soliz has had a hard time getting groceries this week.
“I’m gonna give up for the day, because I don’t want to be out," she said. "I don't want to be out for too long. We just came from Staples Walmart and it was empty. We came to Walmart here at Saratoga. So we said let’s go to the market.”
There was a long line this morning outside of Staples Street Meat Market.
Owner Matt Meehan said they have seen a lot of new faces recently.
Today, they were limiting the number of customers inside the store so they could get caught up on their inventory.
"Right now, we just need to give our store a break to get ourselves restocked to where we need to be." he said. "We received five trucks this morning."
Ben Bolich had been all around town looking for groceries and ended up at the meat market this morning where he finally got what he needed.
“It’s everywhere," he said. "I’ve been going to H-E-B in Portland, H-E-B on Saratoga, H-E-B in Flour Bluff . . . everything’s pretty much gone.”
So what exactly are people looking for?
One answer we heard a lot today is meat. And of course, toilet paper.
"Another thing is baby stuff," Bolich said. "Can’t find it. Can’t find wipes. Can’t find diapers.”
Meehan said they have been selling a lot of ground beef and chicken, among other products.
"Eggs and milk," he said. "We've been averaging about 100 cases of each a day. That's all they'll let me have."
That's 1,500 dozen eggs a day, and approximately 1,500 gallons of milk a day.
The demand for eggs was evident Friday morning by the long lines at Corpus Christi Egg Company.
“I’ve gone everywhere and they’re always out of eggs," said shopper Sandra Reece. "I’ve come here I don’t know how many times and the line is so long, I can’t even get eggs.”
Stores are working hard to restock shelves, and want to remind everyone to only take what you need.
“Be patient," Meehan said. "Be kind. Try to at least make sure that everybody else gets some. Don’t hoard products.”
