County to county demand grows at food pantries

By John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com)

Tools

Food banks across Michiana are preparing to see record numbers this holiday weekend. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Nov 26, 2008 at 6:53 PM EST

Story Updated: Feb 1, 2009 at 12:33 PM EST

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY--- Blaming layoffs and the nation's economic challenges, local food pantries are preparing to serve more families this Thanksgiving than ever before.

Multimedia

Watch The Video

"There's probably about 450 families that we have not seen before," said Captain Steven Woodard of Elkhart's Salvation Army.

There's fear the number could increase this Thanksgiving.

"The need just keeps growing and growing and growing," said Mary Booth Lyons. Lyons organized a dinner at American Legion Post 303 Wednesday evening.

"Your heart just wrenches when you see those new families that come in," said Woodard.

So the kitchens were cooking and preparations were under way during these times where just about everyone is forced to cut back.

"The giving is down because the people just don't have it," said Lyons.

"It's just getting worse," said Woodard. "I've never seen it like this before."

The Salvation Army of Elkhart and the American Legion post planned to welcome about 500 people, combined, for dinner.

Donations of time from volunteers, and food from restaurants and various companies, make the upcoming turkey dinner with all the trimmings possible.

"In the last three months, we've seen a 22 percent increase n the food pantries around the area," said Woodard.

While the holidays come and go, the challenges for families don't stop.

"They've still got kids to feed, still have bills to pay," said Woodard.

Until people are back on their feet, food pantries across the area will do their best to help others.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

Current Temp 48.4

More Weather

WSBT Weather

More Weather

On Demand

iPhone
Get the WSBT News and Irish Sports Report apps for your iPhone! Read more »
On DVD
Order a DVD of a WSBT news story! Read more »
Twitter
Follow us on Twitter! Read more »
Facebook
Connect with us on Facebook! Read more »
WSBT E-News
Daily StormTracker e-mails right to your Inbox! Read more »
Video On Demand
Miss a story on WSBT News? Watch it here! Read more »
CBS Shows
Watch CBS shows and news online, free! Read more »
WSBT Alert
Breaking News & Weather right to your cell phone! Read more »
Mobile
WSBT News on the go for your cell phone or PDA. Read more »
RSS Feeds
Get news and updates as soon as they're published. Read more »

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.