Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Nationwide, especially in rural areas, food banks struggle to meet increasing demand

Calvary Food Pantry in Auburn, New York, has seen a "25 percent increase in foot traffic compared with previous years," director Nancy Sheffield told Nate Robson of The Citizen, and this food bank is not alone. Food banks all across the country are struggling this holiday season as poor economic conditions and changing demographics have increased demand in many communities.

The number of people needing assistance has increased. Kathleen Stress, chief operating officer for the Food Bank of Central New York, told Robson her 11-county region has seen an increase of 2 percent in the past year, but the need is even greater in rural communities. A Catholic Charities site in Boyes Hot Springs, Calif., had almost 27 percent more people seek assistance a few weeks ago, Kerry Benefield of The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, Calif., reports, and many rural distribution sites' posted hours include the caveat "or until the food runs out."

Where is the additional need coming from? An increasing number of moderate to low-income families and military personnel are seeking assistance, Stress told Robson. Another growing population seeking assistance is senior citizens, Robson reports. Connie Briglin, coordinator of Cato Christian Food Pantry, has seen more elderly seek assistance after the loss of a spouse and the spouse's income. (Read more)

Donations at many food banks have also decreased. In Sonoma County, Calif., donations of food an money are down as much as 30 percent compared to 2010, Benefield reports. The Bay Area Salvation Army in California shows a 20 to 25 percent decrease in food donations, Amy Hollyfield of ABC7 News reports.

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