In recognition of the need to keep the shelves of area food banks stocked, employees at Troy Regional Medical Center are participating in a payroll deduction option designed to help feed the hungry in Pike and Coffee counties.

Karen Herring, TRMC director of marketing, said participating employees donate from 50 cents to one dollar each pay period to the food pantry project with the Pike County Salvation Army Service Center and the Coffee County Ministerial Alliance as the beneficiaries.

TRMC made the first donations to these agencies in the amount of $500 each.

“The amounts of the donations will vary depending of the number of pay period collections but we plan to make several during the year,” Herring said.

Tim Cain, TRMC director of med-surg, is a member of the Church of Christ in Elba and was aware of the continuous need for non-perishable at the Alliance’s food bank.

“Tim brought this need to our attention and we realized that supporting area food banks would be a way TRMC could give back to our communities,” Herring said. “Elba is in the TRMC service area and the need to feed the hungry there is as great as it is here in Pike County.”

Phillip Box, chair of the Coffee County Ministerial Alliance, said there are many people, including those living on Social Security and the unemployed or the under employed, who have to make decisions on whether to eat or purchase their medications or pay their utilities.

“Many times, the decision is not to eat,” he said. “During the time the Coffee County Ministerial Alliance’s food bank has been in operation from 2011through 2014, we have served the needs of more than 10,000.”

Box said the Alliance’s food bank serves those in a 15-mile radius of Elba.

“The only requirement for those in need is to have a valid ID,” he said. “And, they can apply to the food bank only every 45 days.”

Kim May, Pike County Salvation Army Service Center, said the need for food is equally great in Pike County.

“Last year, we served more than 1,700 people through our food bank,” May said. “When the weather is extreme, either hotter or colder, the need for food increases because those living on fixed incomes have to make the hard decisions as to whether to pay their utility bills or buy food. And, the choice between food and medication is year around.”

Those who seek assistance through the Salvation Army food bank must make application and be approved.

“There is a genuine need for food year round among the elderly and the unemployed and there are always emergency needs,” May said. “The greatest need is for meat or other protein products like peanut butter. Protein products are the most expensive items so we get fewer of those. We meet those needs our communities as best we can.”

Box and May expressed appreciation to TRMC for its support of the food banks.

“Monetary donations make it possible for us to purchase items that are in short supply and to also help more people in need,” May said. “The support of the employees at TRMC will make a difference in the lives of many. We are very grateful for this support.”