Food banks hoping for touchdown

By JERIANNE STRANGE
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW August 28, 2008 12:10 pm

— Area food banks are in a tight spot: Demand is up, while supplies and donations are down. An increase in the number of people seeking assistance is causing some local food pantry shelves to run dry.
In an effort to help replenish food supplies, the Barren County Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program is sponsoring a food drive Saturday in conjunction with T.J. Samson Community Hospital’s Health Care Career Football Bowl at Barren County High School.
“We’ve seen at least a 50 percent increase in the number of people we’re serving,” said Sue Haynes, executive director of Community Relief Fund. “Most of the people coming in now are people who have never been in before, never had to ask for assistance. It’s not just the low-income people anymore.”
It’s a trend food banks nationwide are experiencing.
According to a survey conducted by America’s Second Harvest, a national network of food banks, 49 of the 84 food banks that responded said they couldn’t meet the increased demand without decreasing the amount of food they distribute to each person.
Like their customers, food pantries are paying more for gas, food and utilities.
“People are having to make some tough choices,” Haynes said. “Some have got to choose between medicine, utilities, gas for the car. These are some tough times.”
So far this year, Community Relief has served 2,233 people.
Sherry Jones, Barren County Fiscal Court Clerk and finance officer, said members of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program board realized the need for food at area pantries and thought a food drive at the football game might generate a fair amount of donations.
For each canned food item or $1 donation, the donor will get a chance to win a prize, including a Glasgow Scottie Cornhole Set and a Barren County Trojan Cornhole Set.
Donations only cover entry into the prize giveaway. Admission to the game is $5 per person.
The first game features the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots and the Glasgow Scotties and begins at 6 p.m. The second match begins at 8 p.m. and is between the Barren County Trojans and the Metcalfe County Hornets. Prizes will be given away during the halftime of the second game. The ticket holder must be present to win.
Only non-perishable food items will be accepted. Items past the expiration dates will not be accepted. Agencies receiving food items include Community Relief Fund, Community Action of Southern Kentucky, Glasgow Housing Corporation and Barren River Area Safe Space.
“The need for food in our local pantries is an issue,” Jones said. “We wanted to do something to get the word out that these agencies are in need.”

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