An average of 120 families depend on the Salvation Army food pantry every month and when supplies are critically low — like they are now — and it becomes difficult for the organization to serve those families.
Sarah Gonzales, emergency assistance director for the Salvation Army in Emporia, said the pantry is running very low. She stood by a table full of groceries to be given out to families and on the other side of her were empty shelves that should hold cereals and breakfast type items.
Gonzales said donations tend to drop off after the holidays but that doesn’t mean the need for the food does. In winter months the demand for food is high when people can’t get out.
“All year round it seems to be busy,” Gonzales said.
Families can go to the food pantry once every 30 days. How many groceries they get depends on how big the family is, Gonzales said.
“We have people that rely on that bag of food,” she said, adding that the pantry gets referrals from several local organizations.
The pantry also gives out frozen meat, but it depends on supplies.
“Sometimes we have meat to give and sometimes we don’t,” Gonzales said.
The pantry also offers commodities, which is sponsored through the USDA. The next commodity pick-up will be on Feb. 18. People have to apply for that through the Salvation Army, 327 Constitution St. The commodities generally include dried goods such as dried beans or whatever the USDA sends.
The pantry needs a variety of things, including a lot of dry milk, which often is used by families for cereal. The pantry also needs peanut butter and canned foods. Baby food also is welcome since it has an expiration date.
“Cereals always are helpful because of the kids,” Gonzales said.
To obtain food from the pantry, people need to go to the Salvation Army and have an ID that proves they live in the district the organization serves.
Food donations can be brought to the Salvation Army at 327 Constitution St. For more information call the organization at 343-3166.
Breakfast food (cereal, pancake mix, syrup and oatmeal)
Peanut butter
Jelly
Macaroni and cheese or pasta mix
Rice mix or box potato mix
Canned tomatoes
Canned pasta meals
Fruit (including pie filling, pumpkin and applesauce)
Powdered milk
Soup/stew
Boxed crackers
Cookies
Boxes of Jell-O or pudding
Ramen noodles
Canned vegetables (a variety of different types)
Canned meats (tuna, chicken, Spam, salmon)
Large or small bags of chips
Dry pasta
Dry beans or rice
Gravy (jar or package)
Box meals (Tuna Helper, Hamburger Helper, Pizza Maker)
Stuffing mix
Flour
Sugar
Juice (non-perishable)
Salad dressing, mayonnaise, catsup, mustard
Salt and pepper and other spices
Barbecue sauce or other sauce
Diabetic meal items:
Light fruits
Tuna/salmon
Beef
Whole grain cereal
Brown rice
Low carb items
Soup (very little cream soups)
Pinto beans
Dry beans
Peanut butter
Dry milk
Sugar free pudding (Jell-O)
Olives
Dill pickles
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
I'm just saying -- I gave over $200 in food at Christmas. I just don't know how we can keep helping people at this rate of need.....are they not eligible for food stamps?
February 11, 2011 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Help when you can. But don't feel guilty to say enough is enough.
Sooner or later these charities will feel the same pinch that their donors are.
note to charities;
We are tapped out!
February 11, 2011 at 9:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Start being a little more picky at who you are helping.
February 11, 2011 at 9:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[a] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
February 11, 2011 at 11:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
Note to railroad:
In some cases, no. People do not always qualify for food stamps due to income requirements. When my daughter was a baby, I had to go to Salvation Army and one of the other churches once or twice for assistance. I was working full time in a job that only paid minimum wage. My worthless ex husband wouldn't get off his @ss to work (which is one reason why I left him). Even with only the one income, we did not qualify for food stamp assistance through SRS. I tried not to make it a habit, I only went in and asked for food help when I had bare cabinets. But when you are the only one working, at a minimum wage job, the money you bring home tends to be stretched beyond its limits.
Even though I do not live in Lyon County any longer, I always remember the help I received when times were hard. Now that I am financially capable, I give as much as I can. I do know not everyone can be in the same situation I am in now, and I know that it is even harder now with the economic struggles. But I always remember, and always do my best to give back.
Just think... spend $20.00 at Aldi, and you can feed a family of 4 small meals for a couple days. If you can find it in your heart to give even that little bit just once or twice a year, you would help out children who otherwise would go hungry.
February 11, 2011 at 11:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pizza (anonymous) says...
I know there are a lot of sides to this story and I feel very badly for those down on their luck and need food for their families. I guess I do have a little problem with the Salvation Army always wanting gifts. I tried to give them a nice sleeper sofa a while back but needed someone to help me load it in my truck so I could deliver it for free. They couldn't spare anyone just for a few minutes to help load it and I'm sure they could have gotten $75 or maybe $100 from it. Kind of put a bad taste in my mouth for the organization.
February 12, 2011 at 12:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Me too, pizza. I saw what they did with the clothing I gave them after I retired. Good career woman clothing in very good condition. It ended up being stuffed in the rafters of their building. I saw them do it. It made me sick. I heard later that those bags of clothing go to a place that deals with rags. I was sick again.
Now I give a small amount of cash whereas I used to give more. They are constantly sending mail requests for more which irritates me because I wonder how much that is costing.
Here's what else I wonder. "To obtain food from the pantry, people need to go to the Salvation Army and have an ID that proves they live in the district the organization serves."
Is that it? They don't have to prove a need? I can't help but think about the God's Pantry in Burlington that went belly up because people who did not need help were going there and filling their pantries.
On the other hand, I am happy to see that some of the grocery stores in town have racks where people can leave food donations when they themselves are shopping. I always leave a donation there because it is very convenient.
I know, I know, it is not convenient to be in need. Still people will do what is convenient.
Another question. If I give cash to the Salvation Army, do they use that to pay RETAIL or can they order from a wholesaler?
February 12, 2011 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownboy (anonymous) says...
i wonder how many of these people needing food own a dog.
February 13, 2011 at 9:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Instead of requiring just a drivers license to receive aid, the salvation army should put in place a check list for people requiring help. A copy of a paycheck stub or w-2. Copy of electric or gas bill that matches the address on drivers license. Lease agreement or mortgage payment stub. Copy of car title or registration or insurance listing the year and make of car that is owned. An unannounced home visit before any aid is given to verify the above as well as the true need of those requesting it. Does the family have a 50" flat screen or a t.v. in every room of the house?
The latest expensive cell phones, video game set, computer? How many cars in the driveway, year and make? Any fancy painted fingernails, or designer clothing, tennis shoes. Satellite dish or cable and what tier?
Intrusive, yes. But if the need is really there it's not asking to much to make sure it goes to those who really need it.
According to this article the only thing needed is a local drivers license, hell I'm going down to get my bag tomorrow.
February 14, 2011 at 3:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )