Food pantries struggle as poor economy fuels need

HARLEM VALLEY  â€”  Food pantry operators in the area are blaming the increasing cost of gas, oil and energy for an increase in families relying on local food pantries.

"Our usual average is about 35 to 40 families coming to the pantry, but this past Saturday we had 54 families," Father John Durkin of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Amenia said.

The church operates The Vine and Branches food pantry for the local community.

"We have not had this much of an increase in a number of years," Durkin said. "Is it gas prices specifically? I’m not sure. I think it’s a combination of an increase in everything, including gas, oil and food prices. People have jobs, but they just can’t do it. I don’t think it’s going to get better because if this continues, more and more people are going to need help."

According to a Marist College Institute for Public Opinion poll conducted in April, 78 percent of Americans think the U.S. economy is in a recession, while 65 percent of Americans are worried that their income will not be enough to meet their bills or expenses.

Mariley Najdek, who volunteers at the Millerton Food Pantry, operated by the Millerton Presbyterian Church, said the pantry has had to deal with only a slight increase in demand from families.

"But I think the demand will increase by next fall because of the high prices of fuel oil, propane and gas prices," Najdek said. "How much of a demand, I can’t give exact numbers."

Jerry Chestney, secretary-treasurer of the Pine Plains Community Food Locker, part of the Pine Plains Methodist Church, said the locker has also seen an increase in the number of families seeking help.

"We are distributing more funds for more families for food aid," Chestney said. "It’s because they don’t have the spare cash that they had before. There is no question that fuel, oil and gas prices are all affecting people’s pocket books."

Joan Groves, volunteer for OWL’s Kitchen, which operates out of St. Mary’s Church in Lakeville, Conn., said she has seen a gradual increase in the number of families the kitchen serves.

"Folks that we used to see only occasionally have come in on a much more regular basis," Groves said. "We have been seeing two to three more families per week. All prices are going up to the point where going to the grocery store is scary. I hope the economy improves, but everything is going up and will cost more."

"NASCAR" Dave MacMillan, organizer of radio station Q103-FM’s Sunday in the Country Holiday Food Drive, said that the drive will have to raise much more money this year.

"It’s going to be a nightmare looking down the road," MacMillan said. "If you look at the prices people have to pay to get back to work, it’s also affecting delivering food products to grocery stores. It’s an escalating thing. People are going to have to sacrifice food because they won’t be able to afford it. Especially the elderly who are on fixed incomes. They will have to sacrifice buying food in order to buy medicine."

MacMillan said different groups called him asking if the drive could assist them.

"Unfortunately, we can’t," MacMillan said. "I think everyone worldwide is feeling the pinch."

Durkin said pantries need all the help they can get.

"We are pretty much wiped out over here," Durkin said.

Najdek said she is not hopeful that the situation will get better any time soon.

"Not until after November’s presidential election," Najdek said. "Then I’m hopeful."

To donate to the Millerton Food Pantry, send donations to Millerton Food Pantry, PO Box 929, Millerton, NY, 12546.

To donate to Amenia’s Vine and Branches, write to Vine and Branches, 4 Lavelle Road, PO Box 109, Amenia, NY, 12501.

To donate to Pine Plains’ Community Food Locker, send donations to Community Food Locker, 4930 Route 199, Pine Plains, NY, 12567.

To donate to OWL’s Kitchen, send donations to OWL’s Kitchen, PO Box 153, Lakeville, CT, 06039.