Efforts continue to keep food bank pantries stocked

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[December 20, 2008]

Efforts continue to keep food bank pantries stocked

Dec 20, 2008 (The Observer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
A growing number of people in Northeast Oregon are at risk for hunger, according to a recent report from the head of Community Connection of Northeast Oregon's food bank program.

Carmen Gentry, food bank manager for Union, Baker, Wallowa and Grant counties, said demands placed on food banks have been steadily growing, and local programs need as much help as they can get.

"We see more and more families each year at the food pantries who are really trying to make it and just can't in spite of their ongoing efforts," Gentry said.

Last year alone Community Connection distributed 802,000 pounds of food to the four-county service area. Food donated by the community was vital to keeping up with needs, said Gentry.

"Food collected made up nearly 11,000 emergency food boxes. There is no way we could have done it alone, and we have the community we live in to thank," she said.

Children are often hit the hardest by poverty, with many relying on school lunch and breakfast programs to get the nutrition they need, according to Gentry.

She noted that even moderate under-nutrition can have lasting effects and compromise cognitive, development and school performance.

"Children who suffer from poor nutrition during the brain's most formative years score much lower on tests of vocabulary, reading comprehension, arithmetic and general knowledge," she said.

School breakfast programs are especially effective in increasing child nutrition and enhancing academic performance, Gentry said.

But children aren't the only people at risk for hunger. Gentry said there is a whole category of adults that are doing without as well.

"Let's not forget those families without children," she said. "They are hit particularly hard because resources for their needs are more difficult to come by. Many of these families are facing the same factors, but state and federal assistance sources prioritize the needs of families with dependent children, sometimes exclusively."

Gentry said food banks in the four-county area stand ready to help all people who are in need.
"Many people in our county are struggling, given the recent economic crisis, layoffs and foreclosures. Our food bank programs can help anyone who falls in the income guidelines with a supplemental food box," she said.

Food banks within the Community Connection Network serving Union County include The Salvation Army, Neighbor to Neighbor Ministries, Elgin Food Bank, North Powder Food Bank, Union/Cove Food Bank and Shelter From the Storm.

In Baker County, food banks include Bread of Life, The Salvation Army, Huntington Christian Center and May Day Shelter.

Wallowa County food banks in the network are the People's Pantry in Enterprise and the Wallowa Food Bank. The Grant County Food Bank is in John Day.

As the holiday season peaks and winter intensifies, efforts continue to keep the pantries stocked. Gentry said all help from the community is welcome. In some circumstances, donations are tax deductible.

Gentry said it is important for donors to keep receipts specifying they have received nothing of value in exchange for their contribution.

Items high on the food bank wish list include stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, frozen turkeys or chickens, canned soups, meals, chili, cereal, fruit and boxed meals.

While all food products are welcome, the food banks
discourage items in glass
containers.
People wishing to contribute should call Gentry at 963-7532, ext 12.
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