Food banks asking for help as need grows in Elkhart County

by Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)

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Food banks in need of help

Food banks in Elkhart County are asking the community for help as they struggle to keep up with demand. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jul 28, 2008 at 4:53 PM EST

Story Updated: Feb 1, 2009 at 12:30 PM EST

NAPPANEE — At Family Christian Development Center in Nappanee, donations are coming in, but going out just as quickly.

"We hear their stories and we feel their pain," said food pantry director Ken Woodcox.

Since January, Woodcox has seen a 24 percent increase in the number of families they serve — it now includes nearly 700 people.

"And we feel that. We've had to downsize the amount of food each person takes," said Woodcox.

It all began last fall when an EF-3 tornado ripped through the Elkhart County community, leveling homes and businesses. Today most families are back on their feet; but not everyone.

"One of the factories did not attempt to rebuild. It was destroyed, so those 75 to 90 families are still scrambling, frankly," explained Woodcox.

In January, high fuel prices sent local RV manufacturers reeling, which resulted in layoffs.

"You could name almost all of them (RV companies)," said Woodcox. "There were 30 or 40 people (laid off) at first, then 50 and 60 people ... so it's amounted to hundreds in the past several months."

Kay Miller handles help with rent and utilities for those in need and said her numbers were up as well.

"I've had someone come in where it's been six or seven weeks since they signed up for unemployment and they haven't gotten it yet ... these people are like most of us. They live week to week and they cannot afford to live a long time like this without an income."

So now more than ever, Family Christian Development Center officials are counting on their own community to once again pitch in in the pinch. They remain optimistic.

"Our community is a very strong one. It's a very helping community," said Miller. "We've always jumped in to help whoever needs it."

"We're expecting our community to help out," said Woodcox, "and they haven't failed us yet."

Family Christian Development Center will hold an Open House Wednesday from 3:30 until 5:30 at its facility at 150 S. Locke Street, Nappanee.

Other Elkhart County food pantries and help for those in need:

The Window
223 S. Main Street, Goshen

Salvation Army
1013 N. Main Street, Goshen

Church Community Services
629 S. 3rd Street, Elkhart

Salvation Army
2721 Benham Avenue, Elkhart

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