With holidays upon us, the Statesboro Food Bank is facing the same kind of dilemma the economy is casting on everyone. With fewer supplies and an increase in demand, the local food bank board is facing possible cutbacks in how many times a person can receive a week’s worth of balanced meals per year.
The local demand has increased from about 180 consumers a month to 250 people seeking help with groceries, said Joe Bill Brannon, vice president of the food bank procurement committee.
Donations are always needed, but with the holidays looming and the economy as it is, the need is even more serious, he said.
“We need everything. The economy is getting worse, and clients are increasing,” he said.
When local donations are not sufficient, the food bank purchases food from Second Harvest in Savannah, but now, their supplies are dangerously low, Brannon said.
So, the amounts of food given to consumers may be less, and while in the past a person or family could access the food bank resources three times in a year, that issue will be up for review soon, he said.
Limits are imposed by resources available. “ If we had more money and products, we could increase the amounts” and number of times a family is able to get food, he said.
The only thing the food bank has plenty of right now is peanut butter, he said. What is desperately needed is canned meat — ham, tuna, salmon, Treet and Spam, or any other canned meat.
Canned vegetables of all kinds, canned pastas, juices, fruits; dry goods such as pasta, flour, pancake mix, powdered milk; cheese, beans, rice, grits — “No amount is too small,” Brannon said.
If a donor can’t deliver the items to the food bank, “Call me and I’ll come get them,” he said.
Fresh and frozen meats are also needed, and when buying a holiday turkey, toss one into the cart for the food bank if possible. The bank buys turkeys to pass on to consumers, but the number of turkeys given away this year is reduced from 150 last year to a mere 80, he said.
The food bank has also accepted and passed on fresh vegetables and fruits. “The only thing we can’t take is homemade items or items that have been opened,” he said.
Brannon encourages local clubs, businesses and other groups to host food drives, because “Food drives are the lifesavers,” he said. “Over half our food comes from these food drives.”
Sears in Statesboro is currently holding a canned food drive to benefit the Statesboro Food Bank, he said.
Patsy Cooler, who along with husband Gary Cooler owns the local Sears store, said customers can “bring in four or more cans of food and receive coupons” toward money off their purchases from the store.
Purchases $300 or more will get $25 off with at least four cans of food; purchases from $100 to $299 get $15 off, and purchases from $50 to $99 get $5 off with the donation, she said.
Sears will be holding the food drive until Dec. 31, she said.
Brannon said anyone interested in hosting a food drive or donating food can call the Statesboro Food Bank at (912) 489 — FOOD (3663) or Brannon at (912) 682-4144.
The local demand has increased from about 180 consumers a month to 250 people seeking help with groceries, said Joe Bill Brannon, vice president of the food bank procurement committee.
Donations are always needed, but with the holidays looming and the economy as it is, the need is even more serious, he said.
“We need everything. The economy is getting worse, and clients are increasing,” he said.
When local donations are not sufficient, the food bank purchases food from Second Harvest in Savannah, but now, their supplies are dangerously low, Brannon said.
So, the amounts of food given to consumers may be less, and while in the past a person or family could access the food bank resources three times in a year, that issue will be up for review soon, he said.
Limits are imposed by resources available. “ If we had more money and products, we could increase the amounts” and number of times a family is able to get food, he said.
The only thing the food bank has plenty of right now is peanut butter, he said. What is desperately needed is canned meat — ham, tuna, salmon, Treet and Spam, or any other canned meat.
Canned vegetables of all kinds, canned pastas, juices, fruits; dry goods such as pasta, flour, pancake mix, powdered milk; cheese, beans, rice, grits — “No amount is too small,” Brannon said.
If a donor can’t deliver the items to the food bank, “Call me and I’ll come get them,” he said.
Fresh and frozen meats are also needed, and when buying a holiday turkey, toss one into the cart for the food bank if possible. The bank buys turkeys to pass on to consumers, but the number of turkeys given away this year is reduced from 150 last year to a mere 80, he said.
The food bank has also accepted and passed on fresh vegetables and fruits. “The only thing we can’t take is homemade items or items that have been opened,” he said.
Brannon encourages local clubs, businesses and other groups to host food drives, because “Food drives are the lifesavers,” he said. “Over half our food comes from these food drives.”
Sears in Statesboro is currently holding a canned food drive to benefit the Statesboro Food Bank, he said.
Patsy Cooler, who along with husband Gary Cooler owns the local Sears store, said customers can “bring in four or more cans of food and receive coupons” toward money off their purchases from the store.
Purchases $300 or more will get $25 off with at least four cans of food; purchases from $100 to $299 get $15 off, and purchases from $50 to $99 get $5 off with the donation, she said.
Sears will be holding the food drive until Dec. 31, she said.
Brannon said anyone interested in hosting a food drive or donating food can call the Statesboro Food Bank at (912) 489 — FOOD (3663) or Brannon at (912) 682-4144.