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As demand increases, Tarrant County food pantries struggle to stock their own shelves: As demand increases, food pantries struggle to stock their own shelvesHALTOM CITY, Jul 16, 2009 (Fort Worth Star-Telegram - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Alejandrina Reyes is looking for a break in a tough economy. Reyes, mother of 5-month-old Elena, is searching for work. She recently filled out five job applications but hasn't heard back. She is applying for food assistance through the federal food stamp program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. But while she waits for aid, she doesn't want her family to go hungry. "It's a lot of stress," Reyes said. Reyes got help this week through the North East Emergency Distribution West, the emergency aid arm for a coalition of about 40 churches in Northeast Tarrant County. N.E.E.D. West, which serves people in Haltom City, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Watauga and Fort Worth's Riverside area, is among charities helping people during the recession. But area food pantries are struggling to keep shelves stocked, as continued layoffs and pay cuts, fluctuating gas prices, increasing electric bills and healthcare emergencies are causing more people to seek help. "The last couple of months, it has been frightening," said Carol Mabry, N.E.E.D. West's director, adding that the group is praying that it can get more food donations to keep up with the demand for aid. A comparison of aid offered at N.E.E.D. West in June 2009 versus 2008 shows a dramatic increase, Mabry said. In June 2008, the center helped 293 people through its pantry. This June, it helped 677. Other pantries have also reported increasing numbers of families requesting help, said Andrea Helms, spokeswoman for the Tarrant Area Food Bank. The number of households provided emergency groceries by the Tarrant Area Food Bank's partner pantries from January through May 2009 is 20.8 percent greater than the number served during the same period in 2008. This year, an average of 36,991 families have been served each of those five months. Last year, the average number of households served monthly from January through May was 30,622. Some charities have received extra help through the federal Emergency Shelter and Food program. Still, food pantry directors across the region worry. "There are so many people without work," said Connie Nahoolewa, executive director of the Northside Inter-Church Agency in north Fort Worth. "We are seeing people who never had to ask for help before." Similar stories are unfolding across the city at the St. Andrew Catholic Church pantry, which is tucked among affluent and working-class neighborhoods. The pantry has been used by people who were once donors, said Pattie Watson, director of social ministries. "We are getting more and more people who are out of work and who cannot find jobs," Watson said, adding that the pantry has helped more than 900 families get food stamps this year. Sue Miller, director of the Inasmuch pantry in Azle, said it has also been guiding people to apply for food stamps. The charity is providing food to about 67 families. Last year at this time, the average was about 45. Arlington Charities is also on the front lines of the recession. The need is great, Executive Director Melanie Gibson said. On Tuesday, people were lined up waiting for help before the agency opened at 9 a.m. In Burleson, Harvest House is also trying to meet the demand for food and emergency help. Alice Bleeker, executive director of donations, said Harvest House is helping people whose pay or work hours were cut by businesses trying to stay afloat. "They are used to a certain income and they've set their bills and lifestyles around that," Bleeker said. "When their hours get cut, it's just devastating to them. "We can't take away all their stress and situation, but we see what we can do -- at least for a little while," Bleeker said. How to help The Tarrant Area Food Bank helps stock pantries at charities in Fort Worth and 13 surrounding counties. Donations can be made to the food bank or directly to any of the food pantries in the area. Food donations from individuals and small amounts from food drives may be brought to the lobby at the food bank, 2600 Cullen St. in Fort Worth, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fridays. Food donations from large food drives can be delivered to the food bank's warehouse at the same address from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays. To find out more Tarrant Area Food Bank: www.tafb.org N.E.E.D. West: www.need-tarrant.com Harvest House: www.yourharvesthouse.org Northside Inter-Church Agency: www.nicaagency.org Arlington Charities: 817-275-1511. DIANE SMITH, 817-390-7675 To see more of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dfw.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |