NORWICH – With the holiday season nearing its peak, local food pantries are feeling the pinch as demand for the services they provide increases, while supplies for those in need continue to diminish.
According to Catholic Charities Roots and Wings Director of Community Outreach Gary Quarella, food pantries throughout the county are seeing an increased need for foodstuffs and other supplies, especially during the holidays and the cold winter months ahead. And while supplies have “definitely decreased,” said Quarella, Roots and Wings has the capacity to accept all manner of food donations – including those from local retailers and farmers – which can then be re-distributed to other local food pantries.
“Once we get through the holiday season, due to our annual funding cycles, January and February are always a tough time for us and the other local pantries,” stated Quarella. “With demand increasing, supply is down, and we’re looking for any and all donations we can find.”
In 2009, Roots and Wings alone provided food for approximately 4,700 families, and Quarella said he’s anticipating that number to go over the 5,000 mark for 2010. In total, Roots and Wings provided services for 11,000 families throughout the county last year, with an estimated 12,000 expected to have requested aid in 2010.
Roots and Wings Director Melinda Mandeville added that cash donations are also welcome at any time.
“The great thing about cash donations is that they give us the opportunity to buy food through the Food Bank at a much cheaper cost than when we buy locally,” stated Mandeville. “That stretches our food dollars and lets us help more people.”
On the plus side, the New York State Venison Coalition – which gives area hunters the opportunity to donate venison to local food pantries – has been extremely successful this year, stated Quarella, who added the Afton area alone contributed approximately 400 pounds of venison. Just as with the bread, veggies, yogurt and other food it receives, Roots and Wings is able to freeze the donated deer meat until it’s time to share it throughout the county.
“We’re just trying to help struggling families during these tough economic times and there are a lot of families out there working hard. Sometimes they need that extra boost,” said Quarella. “We try our best to give them a leg up and help them to meet their needs, help them to dream a little bit bigger and get them to a better place.”
Our Daily Bread Food Closet Program Coordinator Linda Fowlston agreed with Quarella’s assessment, and said dwindling supplies are typical during this time of year. In addition, the colder weather means more and more people are looking to area food pantries for help during a time when donations are typically tougher to find. Yet even those without the means to donate cash, food items or other supplies can help out by volunteering at their local food pantry, she added.
“It’s been hard in Chenango County the last couple of years as demand has gone up,” stated Fowlston. “We try to keep somewhere between 20 and 30 volunteers just so we can keep up and we can use all kinds of volunteers.”
While the number of those in need has remained somewhat constant in the last year, Fowlston said that was no consolation, as 2009 saw a “huge increase” in requested aid.
“Any donations are welcome and we’re always looking for paper products such as paper towels and toilet paper and hygiene products such as toothpaste, shampoo and soap,” stated Fowlston. “We go through those items as fast as they come in and they’re some of the products that people just can’t afford.”
Quarella echoed the need for personal care products and, as finding grant moneys for those services has been difficult through the years, stressed their importance.
Those interested in local food pantries and how they can help out can call Roots and Wings, 34-36 Berry Street, at 336-7897 or visit www.foodbankcny.org.