Area pantries stretched

The need for assistance is growing while donations are declining, according to some area food pantry officials.

"People are strapped," said OUR Home Family Resource Center Edna Backs. "We're seeing a lot of electrical shut-off notices in the area."

The Celina charity served 2,267 individuals last year, Backs said. Current trends make it likely that number will grow.

"We're looking at possibly 2,353 people this year," she said.

While donations have remained level, Backs said, the number of elderly, disabled and working poor residents continues to grow.

"Something as simple as a sudden car repair expense can cause great financial harm to these families," Backs told the newspaper.

Kathy Bayless, executive director at Agape Ministries in St. Marys, agreed.

"We've seen the number of residents coming to us for aid jump from 25,742 to nearly 29,000 in the last two years alone," Bayless told the newspaper. "This often stems from employers cutting back on hours and not offering insurance, forcing workers to purchase plans on their own."

Bayless also said the drug problem in Auglaize and Mercer counties is having a direct effect on senior citizens, more of whom require food and monetary assistance from charitable organizations.

"More and more grandparents are receiving custody of their grandchildren due to these local drug arrests," Bayless said. "Social Security is not designed to help these seniors support a child."

These circumstances often force the elderly to choose between paying for their medicine or buying food, Bayless said.

Kroger, Wagner's IGA and Pantry Pride have all donated day-old bakery items and offered discounts on other food items to Agape.

Agape relies on these food donations due to the cost of obtaining food from the West Ohio Food Bank, Bayless said.

"Agape, along with the other local pantries, has to pay for food from the West Ohio Food Bank along with a delivery fee," she said. "Even worse, the food often spoils while being transported here during the summer."

Bayless encouraged residents to "cut out the middleman" and donate directly to local pantries.

"Over 90 percent of the revenue we generate through our thrift store goes directly to those in need," she said.

Western Auglaize County residents can call Agape Ministries to seek assistance, Bayless added.

"We only ask for proof of residency and a picture ID for household residents over 18," Bayless said. "We don't ask for proof of income because we trust people to be honest with us."

Organizations such as OUR Home, Agape and area churches such as St. Paul's United Church of Christ in St. Marys and Rockford's United Methodist Church are all seeking additional donations of food and money.

"We need No. 10 cans of vegetables and fruit the most," said said Rev. Jeanette Tangeman of St. Paul's, which hosts Breaking Bread, a free community meal.

"Last year, we served over 17,000 meals," Tangeman said. "This year, we served closer to 16,000 but our donations are down to $75 a week. We used to bring in at least $150."

The church's next free meal will be at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 7.

Tim Clutter, CALL Food Pantry executive director, says the Celina organization faces similar issues.

"While the number of families using our service has gone from 629 to 599 in the last year, we have seen a 12 percent decrease in monetary donations," Clutter said. CALL relies on donations to purchase food directly from manufacturers at deep discounts. "We save approximately $45,000 per year doing that."

In addition to monetary donations, CALL and Agape are seeking donations of smaller, standard-sized cans of food.

"Canned fruit like peaches and pears is our biggest need right now," CALL's Dave Shouse told the newspaper. "We could also use canned tuna and chicken, along with personal-care items like toiletries."

"Unlike St. Paul's United and other churches, Agape doesn't do a community meal," Bayless added. "So, we need smaller cans of meats like tuna, chicken, and salmon. Macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, dry and warm cereal and even ramen noodles are appreciated, as well. People these days just aren't having these massive sit-down feasts like you see on TV sitcoms."

Agape also needs baby food - but not just for infants.

"Due to their declining dental care, our local seniors often rely on baby food," Bayless said. "It's actually fairly healthy and at least it's not cat food."

Bayless said she hopes these donations will continue to combat a serious issue facing the area that few wish to acknowledge.

"We don't want people to starve because they are too proud to beg," she said.

Area food pantries:

Agape Ministries
1220 E. Spring St., St. Marys
419-394-8700

CALL Food Pantry
420 N. Brandon Ave., Celina
419-586-3574

Calvary Chapel Baptist Church
71 N. Hamilton St., Minster
419-628-3717

Holy Trinity Catholic Church food pantry
Mercer Health-West Campus
830 W. Main St., Coldwater
419-678-4802

North American Indian Cultural Center
304 E Anthony St., Celina
419-586-6567

OUR Home Family Resource Center
117 W. Fayette St., Celina
419-586-4663

Parkway Ministerial Association
at Rockford United Methodist Church
202 S. Franklin St., Rockford
419-363-3230

Clarification:

In the story, Agape Ministries Executive Director Kathy Bayless said food often spoils in the summer during transportation to the agency.

Spoilage can occur if Agape's unrefrigerated trucks are used to pick up food supplies. West Ohio Food Bank uses refrigerated trucks, Bayless said.