Post by Marc LeVine on Nov 28, 2006 15:46:24 GMT -5
Food pantries concerned about decline in donations
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/18/06
BY TRISTAN J. SCHWEIGER AND BOB JORDAN
STAFF WRITERS
Bob Pratt was a busy man Friday morning.
A volunteer at New Beginning Christian Fellowship church's food pantry, Pratt, 48, was on his way to pick up supplies — 75 turkeys to feed needy families in the area. Since the Brick church opened its pantry, which also distributes clothing and other supplies, earlier this year, its pastor says it has been feeding 700 to 800 families a month.
With Thanksgiving coming next week, and Christmas just over a month later, that number certainly isn't declining.
"We were unaware that there was so much of a need in our backyard," said Pratt, of Brick.
The Rev. Joe Sorce, the church's pastor, said this is the time of year when many people are motivated to give to charity. But going into the holiday season, several pantries and charitable organizations in both Ocean and Monmouth counties have said they're low on supplies this year.
Officials have several theories on why — ranging from high energy prices to uncertainty about the economy. Whatever the reason, some pantries say it's a worrisome situation.
"Things are kind of empty and out," said Barbara Slamp, chairwoman of the Barnegat Food Pantry.
At Freehold Area Open Door food pantry, officials are hopeful things will pick up. On Sunday, about 50 volunteers will be on hand at the organization's Throckmorton Street center to accept donations of frozen turkeys and chickens, hams and nonperishable items that can be served as Thanksgiving dinner trimmings.
"Donations have been very slow but we expect that most of what we need will come in (this weekend)," said Jeanne Yaecker, director of Open Door. "I don't know why, but unfortunately this year we are kind of just scraping by."
On Harrison Avenue in Englishtown, the Samaritan Center also is low on supplies compared to previous years, according to Carol Puorro, the center's director. On Thursday, the organization, which helps feed low-income families in western Monmouth County, had four turkeys in its freezer compared to 50 last year.
"We're going to make it, but it's scary how donations have fallen off. The sad thing is, it's the way things are," Puorro said. "Things are so tight."
The problem this year seems to be sporadic, however.
Manny Fonseca, senior district executive for the Jersey Shore Council of Boy Scouts of America, said the council's annual Scouting for Food program is on pace to exceed the 229,000 pounds of food it collected in Ocean and Atlantic counties last year.
"This year, we've had more participation. . . . We've collected upwards of about 300,000 pounds," Fonseca said.
Today, scouts will be fanning out in the two counties, picking up the food that's been taken to various drop-off points.
Donations this year at the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, based in Neptune, have been steady and on par with previous years, said Susan M. Kelly, executive director. Roughly 8,000 families requested food — especially turkeys — for the holidays, and Kelly said the food bank will be able to meet this demand, thanks in part to a recent donation of 1,000 frozen turkeys by the Stop & Shop food chain.
More of a concern to Kelly is the slowdown in donations that occurs when the holidays are over. The center's bustling warehouse is often a much more empty sight come February, she said, and the food bank is working hard to raise awareness from Monmouth and Ocean communities that donations are needed year-round.
At Spring Oak of Forked River, an assisted living facility in Lacey, administrator Helen A. Willis said the agency received many donations from its food drive, which began Nov. 10 and benefits Lacey Food Bank.
"Residents went shopping and were really excited about giving to the food bank," Willis said. "It gave them a lot of joy to help those who are less fortunate."
The food drive continues until Sunday, she said, and donations can be dropped off at Spring Oak, 601 N. Main St. (Route 9).
Guy Burnett, chairman of Lacey Food Bank, said he appreciates the efforts from Spring Oak as well as other organizations.
"Food donations are OK (now) but November and December always take a toll on our cupboards," he said. "It gets scary at this time of the year seeing the shelves get lower and lower, and you just hope food comes in."
Carol Latif, executive director of Ocean County Hunger Relief, a network of 31 pantries throughout the county, also said the post-holiday decline is a problem. Populations in the county are growing quickly, Latif said, which means the number of people living in poverty also is growing.
"It seems to be feast or famine," she said. "The point is, if this is the only time (people are going to donate food), in 12 months we're going to be in trouble."
At the New Beginnings Christian Fellowship pantry on Brick Boulevard, the Rev. Sorce said the operation needs donations of food, money and clothing throughout the year.
"The day after Christmas, people still need to eat," he said.
Staff writers Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo and James A. Quirk contributed to this story.
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/18/06
BY TRISTAN J. SCHWEIGER AND BOB JORDAN
STAFF WRITERS
Bob Pratt was a busy man Friday morning.
A volunteer at New Beginning Christian Fellowship church's food pantry, Pratt, 48, was on his way to pick up supplies — 75 turkeys to feed needy families in the area. Since the Brick church opened its pantry, which also distributes clothing and other supplies, earlier this year, its pastor says it has been feeding 700 to 800 families a month.
With Thanksgiving coming next week, and Christmas just over a month later, that number certainly isn't declining.
"We were unaware that there was so much of a need in our backyard," said Pratt, of Brick.
The Rev. Joe Sorce, the church's pastor, said this is the time of year when many people are motivated to give to charity. But going into the holiday season, several pantries and charitable organizations in both Ocean and Monmouth counties have said they're low on supplies this year.
Officials have several theories on why — ranging from high energy prices to uncertainty about the economy. Whatever the reason, some pantries say it's a worrisome situation.
"Things are kind of empty and out," said Barbara Slamp, chairwoman of the Barnegat Food Pantry.
At Freehold Area Open Door food pantry, officials are hopeful things will pick up. On Sunday, about 50 volunteers will be on hand at the organization's Throckmorton Street center to accept donations of frozen turkeys and chickens, hams and nonperishable items that can be served as Thanksgiving dinner trimmings.
"Donations have been very slow but we expect that most of what we need will come in (this weekend)," said Jeanne Yaecker, director of Open Door. "I don't know why, but unfortunately this year we are kind of just scraping by."
On Harrison Avenue in Englishtown, the Samaritan Center also is low on supplies compared to previous years, according to Carol Puorro, the center's director. On Thursday, the organization, which helps feed low-income families in western Monmouth County, had four turkeys in its freezer compared to 50 last year.
"We're going to make it, but it's scary how donations have fallen off. The sad thing is, it's the way things are," Puorro said. "Things are so tight."
The problem this year seems to be sporadic, however.
Manny Fonseca, senior district executive for the Jersey Shore Council of Boy Scouts of America, said the council's annual Scouting for Food program is on pace to exceed the 229,000 pounds of food it collected in Ocean and Atlantic counties last year.
"This year, we've had more participation. . . . We've collected upwards of about 300,000 pounds," Fonseca said.
Today, scouts will be fanning out in the two counties, picking up the food that's been taken to various drop-off points.
Donations this year at the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, based in Neptune, have been steady and on par with previous years, said Susan M. Kelly, executive director. Roughly 8,000 families requested food — especially turkeys — for the holidays, and Kelly said the food bank will be able to meet this demand, thanks in part to a recent donation of 1,000 frozen turkeys by the Stop & Shop food chain.
More of a concern to Kelly is the slowdown in donations that occurs when the holidays are over. The center's bustling warehouse is often a much more empty sight come February, she said, and the food bank is working hard to raise awareness from Monmouth and Ocean communities that donations are needed year-round.
At Spring Oak of Forked River, an assisted living facility in Lacey, administrator Helen A. Willis said the agency received many donations from its food drive, which began Nov. 10 and benefits Lacey Food Bank.
"Residents went shopping and were really excited about giving to the food bank," Willis said. "It gave them a lot of joy to help those who are less fortunate."
The food drive continues until Sunday, she said, and donations can be dropped off at Spring Oak, 601 N. Main St. (Route 9).
Guy Burnett, chairman of Lacey Food Bank, said he appreciates the efforts from Spring Oak as well as other organizations.
"Food donations are OK (now) but November and December always take a toll on our cupboards," he said. "It gets scary at this time of the year seeing the shelves get lower and lower, and you just hope food comes in."
Carol Latif, executive director of Ocean County Hunger Relief, a network of 31 pantries throughout the county, also said the post-holiday decline is a problem. Populations in the county are growing quickly, Latif said, which means the number of people living in poverty also is growing.
"It seems to be feast or famine," she said. "The point is, if this is the only time (people are going to donate food), in 12 months we're going to be in trouble."
At the New Beginnings Christian Fellowship pantry on Brick Boulevard, the Rev. Sorce said the operation needs donations of food, money and clothing throughout the year.
"The day after Christmas, people still need to eat," he said.
Staff writers Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo and James A. Quirk contributed to this story.