Demand for food still great
Despite donations, Salvation Army in needBy Jenny Lancour
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ESCANABA - Despite recent donations from the community to the Salvation Army pantry, the demand for food continues to be larger than the supply.
Two weeks ago, the Salvation Army put out a plea for food and monetary donations to help those in need. Though donations have been comparable to previous years, the state of the economy has increased the demand for more assistance.
"We got a fairly good response but it's still low," said Tammy Bigelow, a caseworker at the Salvation Army. "We're giving it out as fast as it's coming in."
The food pantry shelves are just as bare as they were two weeks ago when the organization asked for media assistance in getting the word out for food donations.
The assistance received since then has definitely helped a lot of families but more donations are needed, Bigelow said, describing the current need for food and money as "desperate."
"In the last eight months, I've seen a big jump (in clients) and it just keeps climbing," Bigelow said. "I've seen a lot of people you thought would not be here. Even with many of them working, they're not making it."
In the weeks and months ahead, Bigelow said the demand for assistance is going to increase even more as people need money to help pay for their heating and other utilities. She expects more people will be out of summer jobs or lose their jobs due to company cutbacks. Home foreclosures are also on the rise, she added.
Bigelow estimated the organization currently assists about 50 individuals and about 200 families, made up of an average of four members, for a total of about 850 people a month. Funding is "very limited" right now, she said.
"I don't know what these people are going to do with prices so high," Bigelow said, especially concerned about individuals living on a fixed income.
"I have no clue how they're going to keep up with their rent alone... plus their transportation needs," she said.
Items needed for the food pantry include boxed dinners, canned meats, canned fruits, cereals and other breakfast items.
Personal care items are also in demand including laundry soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoos and toiletries.
