Area foodbanks prepare for holiday increase in food demand
Jake DeFigio, a food bank crew member, moves a pallet of canned food in the warehouse of the Fayette County Community Action Agency Food Bank. Food banks across the region are preparing for an increase in demand for food during the upcoming holiday season. (Photo by Mark Hofmann)
In this file photo, Jeremiah Henderson, of the Corner Cupboard Food Bank, prepares to unload a pallet of food that was donated by a retail store.
Food Helpers of Washington County expects to see an increase in the number of people who need a helping hand during the upcoming holiday season. (Photos by Karen Mansfield)
news@greenecountymessenger.com
With the holiday season approaching and grocery costs rising, regional food banks are preparing to help.
无毛视频淗istorically, there has been an increase in demand around this time of the year,无毛视频� said David Bork, the food bank project manager for Fayette County Community Action Agency (FCCAA) Food Bank in Republic.
Bork said the food bank typically serves between 2,000 and 2,200 families every month, but the holidays bring an increase of between 20% to 25%.
无毛视频淲e start earlier in the year 无毛视频� bulking up the stock to make sure we can handle the demand,无毛视频� Bork said.
At Food Helpers of Washington County, President and CEO George J. Omiros said they saw a 30% to 35% spike in need that began in May.
He anticipates that increase will continue through the end of the year.
无毛视频淭he demand is higher and greater today,无毛视频� he said.
He attributed that greater need to increased costs for everything from food to fuel, and noted many people fall through the cracks because they ineligible for state subsidies. And those on fixed incomes aren无毛视频檛 seeing their money stretch as far as it once did, he said.
无毛视频淲e can and do distribute to people regardless of income,无毛视频� Omiros said.
Food Helpers has 13 sites across Washington County and serves around 1,500 families with their state-funded senior box program, and serves around 1,650 families with their community outreach program, which is funded through public donations.
Omiros said they prepare for the increase by reaching out to companies, foundations and donors to increase awareness and help meet community needs.
For Thanksgiving, Omiros said the food bank partners with the Observer-Reporter for the 2000 Turkeys Campaign, which provides a warm meal and happy holiday for around 1,800 of those struggling to make ends meet.
In Greene County, Candice Tustin Webster, executive director of Waynesburg-based Corner Cupboard, knows she无毛视频檒l see an increase in those who need help, too. Webster said the nonprofit serves between 2,000 and 2,500 individuals every month, but with the holidays approaching those numbers could go up by about 40%.
无毛视频淲e无毛视频檙e very grateful, especially this time of year 无毛视频� of our community support because that keeps us going,无毛视频� Webster said.
Community giving keeps the Corner Cupboard able to help those who need it, and Webster said Greene residents support those efforts even more during the holiday season.
无毛视频淭here无毛视频檚 definitely an increase as far as the community groups无毛视频� and individuals无毛视频� generosity overall,无毛视频� Webster said, adding she无毛视频檚 seen more food collections spring up, and there has been an increase in volunteering and monetary donations. 无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 the holiday season, and they want to help.无毛视频�
As Thanksgiving and Christmas draw near, Webster said she will increase the food order so there is plenty to distribute. And, the Corner Cupboard will be helped along through its sixth annual food and donation drive on Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of the Greene County Courthouse.
Food banks in Fayette and Washington counties also rely on the public无毛视频檚 continued support.
Bork said while food donations are welcome, monetary donations are most helpful because the FCCAA bank buys its supplies wholesale.
无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 a lot easier for us to stretch a dollar than to stretch a can,无毛视频� Bork said, adding that volunteers are also always needed and appreciated. 无毛视频淚t takes a community of people to really accomplish our mission.无毛视频�
In preparation for Thanksgiving, the FCCAA food bank is again partnering with Catholic churches in Uniontown and Mike Wood Toyota for a Nov. 18 food distribution at the Uniontown Mall from 10 a.m. to noon.
Bork said they无毛视频檒l have boxes available, filled with all the food items needed for a Thanksgiving dinner to the first 400 people who attend.
Omiros said anyone interested in making contributions to Food Helpers can do so by visiting www.foodhelpers.org or calling 724-632-2190, where they can find out what types of foods are needed, information on conducting a food drive, volunteering or how to help raise money for the food bank.
无毛视频淲e strongly encourage the public to think of other people during the Thanksgiving season,无毛视频� Omiros said. 无毛视频淭here are a lot of opportunities to help.无毛视频�
无毛视频淯ltimately, our goal is to educate the community on our organization and programs that we offer, encourage more support and continue serving our community,无毛视频� said Webster, who added that they have 11 distribution centers and while they have three full-time employees and two part-time employees, they always welcome any additional help. 无毛视频淰olunteers are always needed and monetary and food donations are graciously accepted.无毛视频�
To contact the Corner Cupboard, call 724-627-9784 or visit their website at cornercupboard.org.
To contact the FCCAA Food Bank, call 724-580-7001 or visit their website at fccaa.org/programs/food-bank-programs.