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Run on the bank
Supply often low at local food bank
Published Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The sign on the door of the storage room at the Christian Service Center says it all, “Food supply low. Can only serve families with 1 or 2 in family.”
Normally, the stock room is brimming with cereal, green beans, rice and more; however, that has not been the case for many months, according to volunteers Jo Isenberg and Charles Young.
On Monday and Wednesday each week, the center distributes food to needy families from Covington County. One time each month — usually on the first Monday — a shipment is received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
And until that shipment arrived Monday, the shelves inside the center were nearly bare, Young said.
“We had to turn people away this morning because we didn’t have anything to give until the truck arrived,” he said. “They send us one shipment a month and the rest of the time we depend on local donations from churches and civic organizations.”
But those donations have slowly dwindled until there is not enough food to make it through the month.
Why?
“I’d hate to speculate, but I bet it has a lot to do with the economy,” Young said. “We depend so much on the local churches and such, but we’re not getting enough donated. I don’t know why. It could be that they don’t have it to give or that people don’t realize the need. But I can tell you that by the end of the month, we’re out of food.”
The center is operated by the Covington Baptist Association, and in 2007, 133,000 pounds of food were distributed to Covington County residents. In Andalusia alone, that fed approximately 300 families a month.
In addition to the center in Andalusia, the association also runs centers in Opp and Florala. In Opp, distribution is held twice a week and once a month in Florala.
A typical allotment of food is 15 pounds per person in the family.
“And sometimes here lately, we’re not able to give that much,” Young said. “That’s why the sign says we’ve limited serving families with only one or two people in it. We just didn’t have the food to chose from.”
Additionally, both Isenberg and Young said they have noticed a definite shift in not only the number of clients the center serves but also the age range.
“I’d definitely say we’re seeing a younger set of people come in,” Isenberg said. “Usually there is a line of people waiting to be served when we open the door and it keeps getting longer and longer.”
Young attributes that increase in clients to a “word of mouth” approach.
“We get more and more clients as they find about what we do,” he said. “A lot of times it’s because of situations like they’ve just moved here and are looking for a job or someone has just lost their job. Either way, there is no money to buy food and they need our help.
“And that’s the whole purpose of why we’re here — we’re here to meet the needs of people the best we can with what we have,” he said. “It’s just that right now, it’s meeting that need with a lot less that we need.”
In Monday’s shipment, 11,687 pounds of food were delivered — enough to feed an estimated 780 people or 195 families of four.
“That might sound like a lot, but it’s not,” Young said. “Before it got here this morning, we were down to jars of peanut butter and jelly, green beans and corn.
“It’s not a lot, but if you’re hungry enough, that’s a meal,” he said.
The Christian Service Center is located on South Three Notch Street, and for more information on how to make donations, contact the center at 222-3840.
Comments
Posted by Jim (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me say that I am all for helping out the needy, heck, sometimes I feel like I'm in that category myself sometime. But getting to my point, I'm all for it. But what I am against is, all the ones that stand in line for a handout, knowing good and well, that they shouldn't be there. Cause they are taking away from ones that should be there. Reminds me of when Bro. Dohoney has free food supply give-aways, in the old Coke building, (can't remember the name of this, so forgive me), I have drove by on occasion while out yard-saleing, and seen all the folks walking up to get their supplies, and see some already headed back to their vehicles with their arms loaded. I'm thinking hmmmm, this person, that person, etc,,,knows they have no business there. People need to realize the meaning of this, and it's for the "NEEDY" so before you go breaking your neck to get in line for a handout, just pause for a minute to stop and think. Am I really qualified as a needy person, or is it that I'm just too lazy to get out and earn a living, and would rather sit around and wait for handouts, while at the same time, take away from the ones that really do need it. I guess there's really no way to actually say "no" to anyone on this, but if you have any decentcy in yourself, you know who you are, so please, don't take away from the ones that this is set up for.
Posted by thevoice (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I totally agree Jim. The Christian Service Center and places like that are set up to help those who really need it. It is a good cause, but, like any charitable thing, it does get abused. I wish there was a screening process. If someone loses their job and needs a little help until they get on their feet, I don't have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is those that get approved and then keep getting the handout after they have gone back to work because they would rather spend their money on other things instead of groceries. The Christian Service Center does a wonderful thing for Covington County. They help folks in other ways besides just food distribution, so, to all of you out there who are abusing the food distribution, please stop so that the ones who really NEED it can be taken care of. Let's step up and do what is right so that the Christian Service Center can continue to help others.
Posted by MSNobody (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with both of You .In fact these exact comments were going to be mine . People who don't NEED this service shouldn't recieve it ! I know of a few who go there on Monday , then follow up with a trip to Wal-mart for shopping .I realize that you don't get everything that is needed , But beer and cigs & candy are not a necessity to me ! Sad that people take advantage of this service . Will it be like so many other programs ? Fade away?
Posted by alhm (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What I would like to know is how many times can the same person recieve this service per month? Can the same family go each week and recieve food or is there a limit? I think that the most important to be served first would be the elderly. I previoulsy lived in a town that had a community food market where low income or no income families could go and recieve food. First, there was a screening process where you had to prove you had no income or recieved disability. It is a very similar to applying for foodstamps. One person could recieve 75lbs of food but the drawback was you could only use the service four times a year. This didn't apply to senior citizens who were able to go (I think) either every other Tuesday or one Tuesday a month. This would ensure that they would get food. I thought it was a great program and it helped my consumers who were on disablity a lot. Maybe the service center should limit the amount of visits one can make and maybe that would increase the amount of food one can get and at the same time be able to serve more families.
Posted by kbklc (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are alot of people that are able to work and are just looking for government handouts. They already get welfare (I'm not against it if you need it) and foodstamps (They buy others groceries in return for money). Some of these people can work and are just to sorry to get a job.
Posted by pingbalata (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll put Covington County up against any county in the state for the highest per capita number of beer guzzling cigarette smoking welfare drawing sit on their ass and look for a handout people. They are so lazy if breathing was'nt automatic they would suffocate.
Posted by sweetnannie (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think those who are worried about those not qualified receiving food need to get pass that point. You will never stop those few who do this. The problem is that we are too selfish to give and we use this excuse to keep from doing what we know is right. God will bless those who give with a cheerful heart. He will also bless those to spitefully use the system. God can reach those people through other's kindness. Non Christians most times don't want Christ because of so called Christians. They see us as we are. We need to look at our own faults and attitudes. We as Christians need to wake up and see just what type of witness we are to our neighbors. If we all gave, it would take care of those in need even with those who don't necessarily need it. Our hearts should be softened to our Christian duty in helping those in need. Sometimes those in need have to get through their pride in order to even accept help. It's hard to stand in that line. Some of those who you think don't need the help, just might need it more than you think. When there are no funds or cash, where can you eat? You have to sell what you have or go looking for help. Most will sell what little they have first and then swallow pride to seek help. Why can't we just put away our inspection of a charity and help them feed the hungry?
Posted by Christian (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with sweetnannie. You don't know what someone is going through until you walk in their shoes. God says to give to those in need not judge them. We are to give and let God handle those who abuse the system. And there may be a few but not many. I can remember when I was young and needed help. It's hard to swallow that pride and find yourself at the bottom of the mountain through no fault of your own. Those of you who say they are too lazy to work have you gone to the center and asked them to do some work at your home and pay them? Have you offered them a meal? Have you volunteered your time at the center? It's so easy to judge but remember someday God will be judging you. Are you worthy? Will God be proud of you when he judges you? Take a good look at your lives first and ask God what can you do to help. The one that knows those that go to the food line and then to Walmart, how do you know this unless you follow them? And how much food did you give to the center? They don't get things like soap powders, or bar soap or tissue paper at the center. Another need. You should be ashamed of yourselves and trying to help instead of criticize. Times are tough right now there are people who can't and don't have jobs. Instead of criticising let's all try to contribute what we can. And also remember sometimes what these people get barely makes a meal. Believe me they don't get that much food. I will be praying tonight for those of you who criticized asking God to soften your hearts.
Posted by admin23 (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, bless your hearts, Christian and sweetnannie. I'm sure it is hard to stand in that line and who's to say that any of us won't be standing in that very line a few years/months/days from now. Because Lord knows if we continue at the rate this economy is going, we may all be standing in that line. HOWEVER, I will say there should be some sort of at least tracking for such handouts. Not necessarily the Christian Service Center, but government handouts should be limited. Not having a mother, daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter all living in the same house but each collecting checks/food stamps of their own. That's piss poor management on the government and my tax dollars going to waste and that's when I get angry. I'm willing to give canned food. I'll do that in a heart beat, but I'm not willing to work for a living to provide for my family and someone else take half of it(because in case you haven't looked lately it's pretty close to it) so that they can sit on their butts and buy better groceries with their EBT card than me who works. That's when I say it isn't fair. I think it should be like WIC, it should say exactly what can be purchases and in what amount. The saddest part of today's paper has been that there are still 'angels' who haven't been adopted and that saddens me. That means there are children who will get up Christmas morning and have no gifts to unwrap. Nothing. I can't imagine a Christmas with no gifts for the children.
Posted by sweetnannie (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We all know that people need to try and take care of themselves. Sometimes there are unusual circumstances that keeps them from doing so. I agree that those who could work, should find a job even if it's only minium wage.
There are families who are right on the edge of making too much and really need help in the basics of life. These charities are their only source. There are also the Angel Boxes each month that cost very little that helps. The government does a very good job in most cases of keeping those not eligible from receiving help. It is those who are on the edge that are hurting. That's why we all need to support with the food needed for the desperate families seeking help especially this time of year. Put away all the indifference, bitterness of the government, and of the lazy people who are probably very few, and do your part this holiday season. That means get an angel too. Toys and food for the children and make it special too.
Posted by sayitaintso (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
make it easy... and they will come!
Posted by bobthathead (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with all the above.But what are we to do? Live and let Live?
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