EDITORIAL: Helping feed families

The McLeod Emergency Food Shelf is helping people
deal with tough economic times. Now is as good
a time as any to consider making a donation.

Use of the McLeod Emergency Food Shelf has risen significantly this year. That should be no surprise, considering the faltering economy and subsequent job layoffs. Many families have turned to the food shelf sites in Hutchinson and Glencoe to put sustenance on their dinner tables.

“The increase is up very much,” Executive Director Marietta Neumann told us on Tuesday. “In fact, the number of households using the food shelf by Nov. 1 was up by 350, compared to the same time last year. It’s a huge number.”

The situation has been so dire that the number of households requesting assistance has been higher throughout 2008 compared to 2007, except during one month. So far this year, more than 200 households have been coming to the food shelf each month to request food. During July, that number rose to 336.

“We’re seeing more repeat users because they’ve been laid off,” Ms. Neumann said.

The demand has almost caused the food shelves to go empty. “At one time we didn’t have one can of soup,” she said. “That has never happened before.”

To rectify the situation, Ms. Neumann dipped into the nonprofit organization’s cash reserves to buy food.

Plight is far deeper
The food shelf has been helping people a long time, but the current situation is hurting people like never before.

“We’re seeing a lot more groups of people,” Ms. Neumann said. “I’m seeing people who are over 90, and believe me, it’s important for them to come in. They still have to have money to pay for medicine.”

Some families are coming back as many as eight or nine times.

“How can you tell someone who hasn’t been working for a year and has kids that they can’t come back?” Ms. Neumann asked.

Obviously, the food shelf can use help from anyone who can give it.
There are two ways to assist:

1) Consider making a cash donation. A check can be mailed or dropped off at either food shelf between 9 a.m. or noon Monday through Friday. The food shelf in Hutchinson is at 105 Second Ave. S.W. The phone number is (320) 587-4796. In Glencoe it’s at 808 E. 12th St. The phone number there is (320) 864-2088.

Now is as good a time as any to give. The food shelf is receiving $1 for every $3 it raises, up to a total donation of $80,000, from Thrivent Financial. To qualify for the matching grant, contributions must be received by the local food shelf no later than Dec. 12.

The McLeod Emergency Food Shelf also is a good place to invest your charitable donations. The Charities Review Council of Minnesota reports that more than 95 percent of the organization’s annual budget goes toward services, much higher than 70 percent guideline that the council suggests as a minimum benchmark.

2) Consider making a food donation. Any donation of a nonperishable food item will be accepted. The food shelf also accepts non-food items such as personal care items and cleaning supplies. Consider donating bar soap, bathroom tissue, paper towels, deodorant, shampoo, laundry detergent and similar items.

A grim reality
Many who use the food shelf have been financially comfortable most of their lives, Ms. Neumann told us. But with a job loss, that comfort level can quickly change. “We’re hearing an awful lot, ‘I used to give to the food shelf all the time. I thought I’d never have to use it,’” she said.

Many people would be surprised to learn who is using it. “It could very well be someone in your own family,” she said, “and you don’t know it.”

(Editorials are written by Publisher Matt McMillan and Editor Doug Hanneman. They can be reached at mcmillan@hutchinsonleader.com, or hanneman@hutchinsonleader.com.)