Food banks struggling to meet rising demand

by Megan Baldino (mbaldino@wsbt.com)

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By WSBT News1

Story Created: Oct 13, 2008 at 4:07 AM EST

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

ELKHART — Food banks from Elkhart to South Bend are struggling to meet a rising demand for their services. The need is up and donations are down.

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"The increase has been tremendous," said Pastor Frank King of Guidance Ministries in Elkhart. King points to empty shelves at his food pantry as evidence of his struggle.

"We are feeding more people and with the economy being what it is we are seeing a difference in the finances to purchase the food."

In St. Joseph County, it's a similar story. Giuliangela Rosato with United Way says the number of people heading to local food banks is staggering.

"It's a sad story from all the agencies because they are having a hard time meeting the needs of the community."

Rosato says United way is helping to facilitate a new program among all the agencies called "People Gotta Eat" to try and find a way to help meet the need.

"So we convened a group of food pantries in the community and all of them bring their stats to the table and they are seeing three times, four times the amount of people in their lines," she said.

Rosato says it's not clear exactly that the group will do, but a plan is in the works.

In the meantime Pastor King says he's hoping a local food drive at Brown Mackie College will help fill his shelves.

"I'm not cutting, people depend on us."

For more information on how you can help go to:

"Fill a Classroom" food drive

United Way, St. Joseph County

Food Bank of Northern Indiana

Urey Middle School in Walkerton is also conducting a food drive this week. Contact 574-586-3184.

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