Food pantries low

While many families were making their grocery lists for their Fourth of July cookouts, many other Jackson County families are trying to figure out how they will put any meal on the table.

The summer months often prove to be among the toughest for food pantries, which cite family vacations and holidays as the reason people forget to donate.

"We could be out (of food) in a week and a half," said Paul Brock of Jackson County Community Provisions Inc. of cupboards at the pantry.

Brock said Provisions is looking for volunteers to try to extend the hours of operation to better serve those in need.

As for Anchor House, Director Deb Bedwell said the number of families its pantry has helped each month this year is up from every month last year. In June alone, Anchor House served 250 families, or 779 people. It has already given away enough food for 37,521 meals, and it expects to reach at least 70,000 by the year's end.

Bedwell said she can't remember a time where the need has been this bad.

Anchor House, which has entire freezers that are empty, had what Bedwell calls two "angels" bring a truck of food that was desperately needed. However, within an hour of being open, nearly all the donated food was gone.

Bedwell said she has never been so excited to see mayonnaise and ketchup - rarities in the pantries. "It's like Christmas!"

Anchor House has been using shelter funds to keep the basics in stock, so items such as condiments and instant coffee become luxuries.

Summer is especially hard on children who rely on a free breakfast and lunch at school for meals. Local pantries try to keep boxes of macaroni and cheese and supplies to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches particularly for the younger, in-need crowd. Anchor House is trying to keep people fed and hydrated during the hotter months.

Bedwell said the food shortage has really hit home lately.

"I know that a lot of the folks who used to be the givers are now the receivers," she said.

One woman came to Anchor House recently for assistance, said Bedwell, who was teary-eyed because she used to donate, and she has never had to receive extra help to feed her family.

Many have to choose between either keeping a roof over their head or eating, and most choose to pay their house bills. "By donating here," said Bedwell, "it makes that choice easier for the family."

Bedwell also stressed that it is important to let the community know of their desperate need. She praised the community and said locals usually step up.

For example, a new business called her to donate a freezer/refrigerator that was left in the building it purchased.

"We still need help getting it to Anchor House," she said, and she expects someone will answer their prayers to solve the problem.

However, filling the new freezer will be the toughest part, and all local pantries, including Human Services Inc., are asking for the community to be generous and give to those who are trying to survive in these tough times.