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Donations Down At Food Pantries

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2007

Updated: 11/19/2007 07:12 pm

BRANDON - Food pantries and other groups that help the needy in the Brandon area are facing a crisis this holiday season, with huge increases in clients and decreases in donations.

A struggling local economy based in part on the sluggish housing market is to blame, operators of social service agencies say. Some people can't afford to put food on their tables, and others can't afford to donate as much as they have in years past.

Many construction workers and real estate and mortgage brokers are turning to emergency intervention programs that can provide them with food and clothing only on a limited basis.

"It has definitely been a tough year for us, and we've had a marked increase in needs," said Moira Hinson, director of development and community relations for the Salvation Army's Tampa area branch. "We have seen a big increase in need. It's not been quantified yet, but with summer donations down, it's hard."

Contributions and cash donations dip in the summer.

"But they are down more than usual this year, and for a longer period," Hinson said.

At the Emergency Care Help Organization on Parsons Avenue in Brandon, it's no better.

"On a normal day, we serve 10 to 12 families," ECHO Program Manager Stacy Efaw said last week. "This Monday, we had 28.

"Everything's just been trickling down with the economy. When the economy goes down, demand increases, and when donations go down, it's worse."

She said she is begging for help from local schools, churches and communities that might be willing to hold food drives.

The St. Stephen Catholic Church food pantry in Valrico is facing a similar crisis.

"Right now, we're averaging 52 families a week, with two to eight people in each," said Camille Riggins, president of the church conference. "We're used to seeing 24 or 25 families. It's literally doubled."

High unemployment in Riverview and Gibsonton - where many have lost jobs because of the home construction slowdown - is a factor, Riggins said.

"Every food pantry in the area is completely overwhelmed," she said. "People who barely have transportation, topped with the gas prices - it's a very sad situation."

The local branch of America's Second Harvest, a food bank clearinghouse on the edge of Brandon that serves thousands, is feeling the pinch, said Marc Sutherland, resource development director.

"Our Food for Families program, we're probably at about half the donations we were this time last year," he said last week.

Food for Families encourages supermarket shoppers to purchase prebagged food donations for the needy and is promoted by local companies, including The Tampa Tribune and WFLA News Channel 8.

The food bags are being distributed to needy families as soon as they come in, Sutherland said.

"As soon as they hit the floor, they're going back out," he said.

The Nativity Food Bank serves the food pantry at Nativity Catholic Church on Brandon Boulevard and many other ministries and small pantries in the area. The congregation has kept the food bank ahead of the rush, Director Pat LeJeune said.

"Nobody says thanks enough, but we owe a big thanks to everyone in the Brandon area," LeJeune said.

Nativity needs toys for children from birth to 12 years old for the church's St. Nicholas' Workshop. Toys can be dropped off at the church office at 705 E. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. The office is closed from noon to 1 p.m.

The Salvation Army also collects toys for needy families through its Angel Tree program and likely will need added support this year, Hinson said.

"We have 6,000 needy children that parents register with us, all from homes at or below the poverty line," Hinson said.

Angel trees are decorated with cards printed with descriptions of toys and other needs. People take the cards, purchase the items on the list and return them to be distributed to children who requested them.

Trees are set up in malls and centers and also can be picked up at the Salvation Army. Anyone wishing to display an Angel tree can call (813) 226-0055. Other items on the Salvation Army's wish list are perishable foods, bottled water, soft drinks and sports drinks, sheets and blankets, toiletries, diapers, toys and musical instruments.

Donors to the Salvation Army can make gifts in honor or memory of someone by including the person's name and mailing the donation to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 2839, Tampa FL 33601.

At ECHO, many of the shelves are nearly bare, and staples such as cereal and grits are in limited supply. The agency needs perishable and nonperishable food and children's clothing, including coats. Donations can be dropped off weekday mornings.
Cash donations go further because they help purchase food in bulk.

HOW TO HELP

EMERGENCY CARE HELP ORGANIZATION at 507 N. Parsons Ave, Brandon, is open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and provides emergency help to those in need, including clothes and food. Some food drive donations can be picked up. Call (813) 685-0935.

THE SALVATION ARMY at 1603 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, provides food, clothing and limited shelter to the needy. Donations can be picked up if necessary. Call (813) 226-0055.

ST. STEPHEN CATHOLIC CHURCH offers food to the needy of Valrico, Riverview and surrounding communities. The food pantry is open from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays. Call (813) 689-4900 or mail donations to 5049 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico FL 33596.

AMERICA'S SECOND HARVEST works through area food pantries and ministries to serve more than 35,000 people every week. Many of its donations come from supermarket chains, but additional donations are needed, as are volunteers to help sort food and stock shelves. To learn more or organize a company, Scout troop or school food drive, call Marc Sutherland at (813) 254-1190.

NATIVITY FOOD BANK distributes food to about 1,500 families a week through Nativity Catholic Church's food pantry and more than 50 other pantries and ministries. Call (813) 707-1523.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 657-4532 or at yhammett@tampatrib.com.

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