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What is this?
Shelves are bare
Food banks need donations
Published Sunday, November 16, 2008
Photo by Thomas Graning
Looking at the few cans of green beans sitting on the shelves of DHR’s food bank was a sad sight for director Florence Mitchell.
But, it is not as sad as turning away the hungry.
“We don’t have anything we can give them but green beans, and we still give the green beans to people who want them, but it’s just kind of sad,” Mitchell said.
As the holiday season draws near, Mitchell said the Pike County Department of Human Resources likes to be a source of food donations for those who cannot afford basic necessities, but unless something changes fast that won’t happen this year.
And while DHR’s food banks may be hurting the worst for donations, the agency is not alone in feeling the impact of a slow economy.
The Salvation Army’s food bank is stocked, but employees said it is the lowest it has ever been.
“Usually you can’t see the walls,” said Traci Renfroe, a Salvation Army employee, as she looked at gaps in the food bank’s shelves.
Mitchell said for the last few months, the food bank supply has been dwindling at DHR, without many offers to fill it up.
“Usually we have people calling and asking if they can bring us food, and I’ve been pretty surprised,” Mitchell said.
Of the 30,000 people in Pike County, Mitchell said an average of 2,526 families receive food stamps from DHR each month. Recently, many more have applied for the aid.
“We’ve had an increase of applicants actually in the food stamp area, and most of them have not been eligible,” Mitchell said.
“But, I think people are really feeling the crunch right now.”
Salvation Army Director Kim May said she, too, has seen an increase in people seeking food, in a time where they have not received as many donations as they typically do.
Normally, two to three people come in the Salvation Army each day requesting donations, but one day, May said as many as 10 came.
“It has increased lately because of the hardships people have been facing, and it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better,” May said.
Nonetheless, May said she is hopeful things will improve before the holiday season hits.
“This is the time of the year when we start getting donations,” May said.
Both local food banks will accept donations for the holiday season. May said dry goods and canned meats are a particular need at the Salvation Army food bank.
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Comments
Posted by regis (anonymous) on November 16, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When you do a story about community service organizations in need, how about adding where they are located for those who may not know. Anyway, this is very sad, so thanks for at least spreading the word. I hope everybody who reads this will find it in their heart to help.
Posted by Hammermito (anonymous) on November 16, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If everyone just brought 2 cans, that would fill up the shelves.
Troy Messenger, please provide the address and phone number of the community service organizations.
Thank you.
Posted by GlassHalfFull (anonymous) on November 16, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Salvation Army Store is located at 509 South Brundidge Street. It is clearly marked - it is between Expert Tire & Jones Medical Supply. This is a wonderful organization and does so much for the community.
DHR is at 717 South Three Notch Street
Posted by ridger1978 (anonymous) on November 16, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well sorry to break this to folks, but I have worked at one of the "Community Service Origanizations" in Pike County and in my opinion, you would be better off looking for food in a dumpster. I have a heart for those in need, but other's do not. It was required of certain people to produce statements of monthly income and billing statements in order to get any kind of help. I lost all faith in community donations after that. I would rather place my unused donations in one of the anonymous boxes by the side of the road than to see the clerks of the store walking down the street the next day with those same donations on thier backs. I take all of my donations to homeless shelters where I know that there will be an urgent need and they will be distributed without thought.
Posted by stickam (anonymous) on November 17, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you 100% ,"rider1978". I have 3 children and try to make it on $1,000.00 a month.Their father doesn't pay child support,therefor i am left all the responsibility. So,I shop where everything is cheap.But let me tell you,Goodwill,Salvation Army,and The Christian Mission is all HIGH.You would be better off going to Wal Mart or Fred's and hitting the clearance.The paints are 4-$5.00and the shirts are 2-$5.00.I thought these places was suppose to be there to help.I think you should be able to go there and purchase a shirt for .50cents and paints for$2.00.That would be helping someone.Also I know this lady that use to work for Goodwill.She said the people working there get what ever they want when the people donate food and clothes.This is why you can never get help,cause the people not needing the help is getting it and the people that needs help are not.Now that I have some help from DHR with food,I will donate some can goods.Pray people.
Posted by wonderaboutit (anonymous) on November 17, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe the DHR employees could donate rather than always poking their hands out waiting for others to do good deeds.
Posted by turtle (anonymous) on November 17, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stickam, I wish I knew who you were and the gender and sizes of your children. I would let you have what my daughter has outgrown. I always look for children who can wear her clothes and donate them personally vs. these places because I know they are being used by those who need them. I know how hard it is to try to manage as you are doing. I lost faith too in these organizations after seeing the employees going through donations and getting what they want and then selling it at yard sales making the profit as well as bringing home the food donated and then telling people they don't do food pantries.
Posted by Donna (anonymous) on November 17, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are the homeless shelters?
Posted by sexybamagirl36081 (anonymous) on November 17, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sad to hear this story as a mother of 2 daughters. I was needing winter clothes for my kids went to the Christian Mission and they told me to get certain tags. The tags they told me to get we the wrong sizes. I think it sucks how people treat other people when it comes to needing help. They think the under income people are no good and lazy.... Well my husband works and brings home the money to pay the bills and that is all we have. I wish I could get help from somewhere else but like everyone has already said the employee's of the "bargain" stores are taking it all home and STEALING from the less fortunate. How would they like it if they were in our places and we took food out of their mouths or clothes off their backs? I wish someone could answer that question.
Posted by Virtuous (anonymous) on November 18, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where should we take our things, then? This is sad. I just dropped off two huge garbage bags and two huge boxes at Goodwill just last week. These were nice clothes and shoes that my kids had outgrown. Had I known this about these places, I would've just kept them and asked around if anyone knew of someone who could use them. I know what it's like and most of those clothes/shoes I gave away were given to me. The person who gave them to me took very good care of them and so did I.
Posted by regis (anonymous) on November 18, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with Virtuous. Who can you trust to distribute donated items to those who actually need them? I would guess that DHR would know better than any one who the real needy are.
Posted by Virtuous (anonymous) on November 18, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You're right, regis. I never thought of them. I'm pretty sure people go there pretty often searching for donated clothes and food. I'm going to call them.
Posted by ridger1978 (anonymous) on November 18, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are quite a few homeless shelters in the "near" area. Faith Rescue Mission in Montgomery is where I usually take my donations. I just wish we could cut out the middle man and give to people face to face. When I was a kid, there was a family that lived up the road from us and we gave everything we couldn't use to them. We were not wealthy, but we had a good deal more than they did. There were 12 kids in that family and they barely had enough to scrape by. I may not know what it means to be poor, but I know what it means to be without because I saw it.
Posted by Virtuous (anonymous) on November 18, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just called DHR. They DO accept donated food AND clothing for the needy. I was told all a person has to do is put the items in a plastic bag and go to the office. Once you get there, go to the front desk and ask to see an "In-take Worker". She said you can, if you want it, receive a statement of donation. I guess for tax purposes. This would work more efficiently and effectively than taking them to those other places. At least this way, these clothes and food items remain as donations verses being donated then sold.
Posted by Virtuous (anonymous) on November 18, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
@ ridger1978
The office I work in request a family from DHR every year for Christmas. They give us a family who is in need. The kids give their favorite color, favorite character, wish list, clothing, shoe and sock sizes. So far, we have gotten these families everything that has been on the lists. This year, we have a family of 5...a grandmother, and 4 children ranging from the age of 1 to 16. Each year, they allow us to take the gifts to the family's home. It is so precious to see the expressions on their faces because they are never expecting us. Last year, we had so much that we asked for a second family. It's great!!!!
Posted by regis (anonymous) on November 18, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Virtuous.
Posted by Virtuous (anonymous) on November 18, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You're welcome.
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