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A box of food at the Agape Food Pantry in Wytheville. Photo by Jean Farley

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Helping the hungry

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

Two local food pantries are facing an increasing need for service while experiencing a decrease in contributions. The Agape Food Pantry in Wytheville and the Bland Ministry Center’s food pantry are bracing for possible changes in their programs.
Recent food distributions have left both agencies reeling from the number of people they served. The demands have taken a toll on reserves of food and money as the typically busiest month – December – approaches.
The Agape Food Pantry provided food boxes to 647 walk-in recipients during Thursday’s monthly distribution. The number represents a total of 1,814 individuals in these households and more than 10,000 food items.
Last Tuesday the Bland Ministry Center gave food to 113 families, bringing its total since September to 890. The center has seen an increase of approximately 200 families in its service year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.
“We’re really getting slammed,” said Dee Dee Hoosier, director of the Bland Ministry Center. “I think it’s a sign of our economic situation. We’re seeing a lot of first-timers. They say they’ve lost their job or their unemployment benefits have run out. This time of year people are faced with the additional cost of heating their homes.”
Joe Moore, chairman of the Agape Food Pantry board of directors, agreed. He saw the number of new families increase to 73 this month.
“We attribute it to the poor economy,” Moore noted. “People tell us the money they have goes to buy heating oil or prescriptions and other basic things and they don’t have any money left.”
Supply and demand of resources is prompting both agencies to rethink the way they operate. Local food drives and donations of money may prevent changes.
“We’re limiting our Christmas boxes to 650 this year,” Hoosier pointed out. “When I first started here 15 years ago, we did 150 boxes.”
According to her, the 13 churches in the East River Baptist Association that support the center are each supplying specific food items for the designated number of boxes. Since turkeys are cheaper, they will replace the typical canned hams, which are paid for by donations to the center.
Each Christmas box will contain a turkey (10-12 lbs.), two cans of peas, two cans of green beans, two cans of corn, a large can of yams, two boxes of corn meal mix, two boxes of macaroni and cheese, a box of stuffing mix, two cans of mixed vegetables, one can of cranberry sauce, a large box of instant potatoes, two two-liter bottles of soft drink, a bag of apples, a bag of oranges and brown and serve rolls.
“We try to provide a full course Christmas dinner,” Hoosier stated.
Items in the regular food boxes depend on the items on hand. Usually, the contain a variety of canned items, breakfast food, dried beans or rice, crackers, peanut butter, drinks, pasta and spaghetti sauce, snack cakes and occasionally fresh bread.
Participants also receive a freezer bag to fill with such frozen items as boxed dinners, cookie dough and chicken. They have access to fresh vegetables and fruit during the summer months.
“The food boxes are worth about $75 to $100,” Hoosier said. “Participants can only use the food pantry once a month.”
Eligibility is determined by income levels. Only one box per household is allowed.
“We ask people to be considerate,” Hoosier said. “If they are being helped this Christmas by social services or a church, we ask them not to apply to the ministry center.”
She also pointed out that the Bland Ministry Center serves a five-state 17-county area. The center, Hoosier said, is seeing an increase in a number of clients from Wythe and Giles counties.
The Agape Food Pantry has few basic requirements for its monthly non-emergency food distribution in Wythe County. It does ask for name, telephone number, proof of address and number of people in the household of the person receiving the food box.
The pantry is supported regularly by some 20 churches in the county. Also contributing are local schools, businesses, clubs, organizations and individuals.
“This year our donations have been down,” Moore remarked. “Our board of directors is considering changes if we’re not able to meet our obligations. We may have to cut down on the number of groceries we put in the boxes and the number of distribution days. We have looked at not accepting new clients.”
Both agencies are hopeful the public will help them meet their needs. They are seeking support from anyone who is able to contribute food items or money.
“December has always been a record month for us,” Moore said. “But we’re seeing the number grow each month. We realize the high cost of food and other living expenses put a strain on the people who help us regularly.”
Hoosier added, “We may have to rethink how often we’re open and who we serve.”
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .