Dwindling donations

By Catherine Amos

Published: July 30, 2008

Families in need that are facing empty pantries at home are now facing increasingly empty pantries at local food banks.

When the economy is poor, disposable income decreases. When disposable income decreases, so do charitable donations, according to a number of area food banks and departments of social services that are feeling the varying effects of today’s economy.

Culpeper
In Culpeper, the needy can apply for food stamps through the Department of Human Services, which also refers clients to the Food Closet. Run by Dick Rosica through St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on East Street, the Food Closet has provided about 50,000 meals so far this year.

Melia Lambert, DHS benefits supervisor, said they have seen an increase in applications for food stamps, with people of all statuses applying. This month DHS has a total of 1,250 cases, with 73 pending applications. That compares to 1,155 cases in July 2007 and 964 in July 2006.

“There are people who are out of work who have never been out of work before,” Lambert said. “It’s just really hard times out there right now.”

Despite the increase in food stamp cases, Rosica said the Food Closet’s clients have not increased as much as in years past. In the last five years, the Food Closet has seen about a 30 to 40 percent increase in families each year. But this year, there has only been a 13 percent increase.

“We had anticipated that we could see the economy slowing and the housing market slowing,” Rosica said, “and we figured we’d see a huge spike this year. That hasn’t happened and we’re not sure why.”

The Food Closet has, however, seen a decrease in donations. The wooden shelves filling the basement of St. Stephen’s show gaping holes in stock and many of the freezers are completely empty.

“Since I’ve been working here I’ve never seen it like this,” said two-year volunteer Doris Clore.

Despite not having a steady increase in clients compared to last year, there have been more families than usual coming in to the Food Closet in recent weeks. On average, the organization serves about 75 families per week, but Rosica said 101 families came in last week and that number peaked at 105 a few months ago.

“Obviously more people are out of jobs and more people are in a hurt right now,” he said. “Of course food and gas prices are hurting everybody. If they were making it last year, with the increase in prices, it’s sending them over the top.”

Madison
In Madison County, the Department of Social Services has its own food bank supplied by donations.

“We’ve been hit hard like everyone else,” said DSS Director Nan Coppedge.

In the past year, Coppedge said they have seen a 30 percent increase in the dollar amount of food stamps provided and a 24 percent increase in the number of approved household cases. Coppedge said many businesses often buy livestock from the county fair and donate the animals to DSS; many of the counties stressed the need for donated meats.

Rappahannock
Bev Dunford, director of Rappahannock social services, said they have seen an increased demand for food stamps, though not by much given the county’s size and steady population.

Rappahannock DSS serves approximately 90 families with food stamps, as well as providing food through a food bank that receives donations from area churches and organizations. Dunford, like many others, said they usually see an upsurge in donations around the holidays.

“Donations are definitely down and the requests are definitely up,” she said, adding that they will hold a food drive in the fall. “I’m ever the optimist and I’m hoping it will pick up.”

Catherine Amos can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 138 .

Want to donate?
Culpeper
The Food Closet 825-1177
Human Services 727-0372
Rappahannock
Social Services 675-3313
Madison
Social Services 948-5521
Orange
Social services 672-1155
Love Outreach Food Pantry 672-7858
Fauquier
Fauquier Food Coalition 540-341-7950
Grace Episcopal Church 540-253-5177