As winter rolls in and the sour economy continues to take its toll, hunger in the Elkhart County area is becoming an increasingly urgent concern.
To try and get a handle on this issue, the United Way of Elkhart County has organized five local nonprofit organizations to form the Elkhart County Food Network.
According to Mike Perez, development director for Faith Mission of Elkhart, the goal of the new network is three-fold, and includes raising awareness about hunger, increasing local food donations, and encouraging stronger cooperation between members.
“By creating this network, it gives us some real strength in being able to bring some more food into the county,” Perez said. “It really allows us to organize and feed more people than we have before.”
The founding members of the network are: the United Way of Elkhart County; Church Community Services; Faith Mission; Family Christian Development Center; The Salvation Army — Goshen; and The Salvation Army — Elkhart.
According to Perez, the recent challenges brought about by the current economic downturn have had a significant impact on local food bank and pantry supplies.
“We’ve seen a 13 percent increase in the people coming in to get food at Faith Mission in just the past 90 days,” Perez said. “All together the network members have seen nearly a 24 percent increase in clients.”
Perez noted that just Faith Mission alone provides two free meals every day for the entire year, which amounts to approximately 15,000 meals a month.
“Now we’re up to around 18,000 meals a month, and it’s only going up,” Perez said, noting that similar statistics are being reported from all across the Network spectrum.
In light of these alarming statistics, Perez said the Network is taking its appeal directly to the public, asking local area citizens and families to open their hearts and pocket books to ensure that no one goes hungry this holiday season.
“The need is out there,” Perez said, “and it’s not going away.”
For more information on the Elkhart County Food Network or to make a donation, contact Mike Perez with Faith Mission of Elkhart at 574-293-3406, or Darren Bickel with United Way of Elkhart County at 574-295-1650.
Recommendations by the Elkhart County Food Network on how concerned citizens can take action:
• Grab a bag — On your next trip to the grocery, fill an extra bag and drop it off at an area food pantry
• Write a check — What will your family spend on food this week? Write a check in that amount to a local food pantry
• Organize a drive — Get your school, church or business involved. Food drives are easy. Call the United Way at 211 to get a simple plan you can follow.
Area food pantries are always in need of the following items:
• Spaghetti sauce and pasta noodles
• Canned meat or tuna
• Peanut butter
• Cereal
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Canned meals, i.e. Spaghetti O’s or Pork & Beans
• Crackers
• Canned fruit
• Soup
• Hamburger or Tuna Helper
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Food network grasping for handle on hunger
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