Food Banks Seeing Fewer Donations, Greater Need

by Samuel King (king@wsbt.com)

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Food Bank of Northern Indiana The Bridge at Studeo 315 donations

Agencies like the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and The Bridge at Studeo 315 in Mishawaka are seeing fewer donations this year. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Nov 20, 2007 at 5:03 PM EST

Story Updated: Dec 7, 2007 at 8:20 AM EST

(WSBT) It's going to be more expensive to feed your family Thanksgiving dinner this year. An informal survey of grocery store prices by Indiana Farm Bureau found the average cost to serve a dinner for 10 this year is a little more than $42. That's up almost $13 from last year.

The extra cost is putting added strain on families in need and the agencies that serve them. Many agencies report an increase in people needing help.

The problem is agencies like the Food Bank of Northern Indiana are reporting fewer donations, meaning there's less help available for those who need it.

“I think that people realize that they have nothing at this time of year when you should have something,” said Merri DeWinter, Executive Director of The Bridge at Studeo 315 in Mishawaka. “You should be able to provide a Thanksgiving meal for your family.”

The Bridge at Studeo 315 provides a food pantry and other social services for the eastern part of St. Joseph County, including Mishawaka and Osceola. But this Thanksgiving, its shelves are bare.

“We don't have it, we don't have turkeys, we don't have hams, we don't have meat,” said DeWinter. “We don't have anything to provide for our clients right now for a Thanksgiving meal. “

In a normal year, the warehouse at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana is full, but this year it is isn't. And the fact that there is less food there means there is less food for the agencies in the community.

“If they can't get the food here, it means they have to go to a retail operation and pay full price for it,” said Dennis Brown, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. “Which means their dollars are not well spent, and they can't stretch their budgets, so they feed less people.”

It's a vicious cycle for the agencies and those who rely on them.

“It's been really, really tough for donations this year,” said DeWinter. “A lot of people are struggling, businesses are struggling, so I think that they're not as willing to give.”

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana and The Bridge at Studeo 315 need perishable and non-perishable food items including: meat, eggs, pasta, canned goods, fruit and vegetables.

Monetary donations are also appreciated.

The Bridge at Studeo 315 also has a free store, so it needs personal care items including: soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorant, diapers and trash bags. Its Christmas wish list needs include clothing, coats, boots, blankets and toys.

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana is located at 702 S. Chapin Street in South Bend. Its number is (574) 232-9986. The Bridge at Studeo 315 is located at 315 Lincolnway West in South Bend. Its number is (574) 532-4730.

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