Print
Nov 19, 2008 10:33 pm US/Central
As Need Grows, Pantries Struggle To Feed The Needy
Economy Puts Strain On Those To Provide Food To Those Who Are Struggling
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
As the nation's economic indicators point downward, the number of people in need of food right here in our own backyard is rising.
CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports on how the system that feeds the hungry is approaching a breaking point.
In the basement of Saint Columbanus Church, the food pantry for those in need seems well stocked to serve the hungry.
"Yeah this is great," said Father Matt Eyerman said. "This won't even make a week.''
One year ago the shelves here fed some 260 families weekly
That number has now grown by more than one third, forcing the staff here to turn away about 25 families.
"I am the man who says to you, 'I am sorry but we've given all the food away that we have this week.' So imagine how that goes," said Father Eyerman.
Bob Dolgan, of the
Greater Chicago Food Depository said: "We know these are not the best of times."
In the enormous warehouse of the food depository, the shelves also seem well stocked--for now. Through 300 small food bank partners, they feed some 500,000 hungry in Cook County each year. A recent survey shows the number has grown by 33 percent.
"It puts a stress on every level of what we do," Dolgan said. "More people are lining up at pantries."
The numbers unfortunately are staggering: 84 percent of the food pantries say they are seeing the newly unemployed. And 80 percent say this is straining their budget. 76 percent say they need more food this year than last year
At Saint Columbanus, there is another reality: more people in need means fewer can donate
LaVerne Morris, the church's food pantry directory, said: "The economy has changed everything and what they were doing last year and the year before they are not able to do anymore."
"It's terrible," said Father Eyerman. "Imagine telling someone they have no food and there's nothing I can do to manufacture the food."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Video: CBS 2's Picks To Click
