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Holidays highlight area hunger
ttjohnso@observer-reporter.com
With the economy on everyone's mind, the thought of the approaching holidays is adding to the stress.
Forget about piles of gifts under the tree; for some families, placing food on the table is a top priority.
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"They just keep coming in," Caldwell said of the requests for food. "It's worse than normal. State funding remained level, and there's just not the industry and business here to support us that the other counties have to help. Virtually, there's nothing other than the coal mines, and that makes it very difficult."
The Greater Washington County Food Bank was fortunate to receive nearly 80,000 pounds of canned goods through several recent donation days at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Additionally, the casino donated 1,000 turkeys to the 2000 Turkeys drive.
"It's the most food I've ever seen in the 10 years I've worked here," said Mary Lou Victor, Washington County Food Bank executive director.
The additional food is a "bonus" to the Washington County food pantries and will ease the burden of the already high demand for food.
On average, the Washington County food bank supplies food to 34 pantries to help feed more than 3,200 families. Victor expects the demand to spike to 4,000 families before the winter season ends.
"There is always an increase in the winter as the seasonal people are laid off," Victor said.
Even though the Greater Washington County Food Bank is filled with canned goods, there is still a dire need for personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, diapers and cleaning items. Food stamps and emergency vouchers may only be used for food items.
Corner Cupboard received no canned goods or turkeys from the casino.
To save on costs but still provide families with poultry for Thanksgiving, Caldwell purchased turkey breasts and bags of chicken breasts.
"Nothing's cheap. I bought three-pound bags of chicken breasts and stuffing and pretended that was a turkey," Caldwell said.
Some of the food recipients were not happy with the choice of poultry, she said, but even the chicken breasts cost the food bank $74 for a case of 12 three-pound bags.
"There were a couple of food drives from the elementary schools, and I spent almost $12,000," Caldwell said of her efforts to put food on the tables of Greene County residents.
Caldwell is willing to take just about any donation including canned, nonperishable and snack foods, pet food and any personal hygiene items.
Caldwell and Victor agreed money is always needed. With the funds, the food banks can purchase foodstuffs through the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank at a lower rate.
"A lot of people think if they write a check it won't help, but it will help more than you know through the purchasing power I have. It all goes back to the community," Caldwell said.
Hunters with excess venison that is processed through a reputable butcher may donate the meat to the food banks and receive a statement of donation for their income taxes.
In Greene County, money and items may be donated to Corner Cupboard Food Bank, 511 Rolling Meadows Road - near the jail and the former Curry Home - Waynesburg, PA 15370. For information, call 724-627-9784.
In Washington County, donations of money or items may be sent to 1020 Route 519, Eighty Four, PA 15330. For information, call 724-229-8175.
