Food donations up, as are calls for assistance

Churches offering food pantry programs have had an increase in calls this week asking about both donations and assistance.

Ryan House, ministry assistance at Cross Point Church of Christ in Florence, said as the government shutdown continues and the loss of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) looms, more folks are reaching out to the church.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Saturday cancelled funding for SNAP, and local food pantries are bracing for increased demands this week.

“We’re hearing from a lot of those who need assistance or who are worried they will need assistance,” House said. “Generally, we serve around 30 families per week, but we are anticipating an influx.”

House said Cross Point opens its food pantry to Lauderdale County residents every Friday except on fifth Fridays. Families are able to receive goods from the pantry once per month.

The number of bags and groceries available each week has been limited in the past, but currently, he said the church is working closely with congregants and ministry partners to ensure donations cover extra needs in the community.

Likewise, Rhonda Cole of Highland Park Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals said church leaders have asked members of the congregation to donate money and food if possible.

“We asked for extra donations a couple of weeks ago, and we probably will do it again,” she said. “We’ve had a big increase in calls from people needing help.”

Highland Park’s food pantry is available on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, and families can come once a month.

Currently, Cole said the church serves at least 60 families per month.

Charlotte Knight, secretary at Killen United Methodist Church, said she expects to receive calls for assistance next week, but this week, community members are calling to see how they can help.

“I’ve had people in the community calling wanting to make a donation, money or food-wise,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about. We have to stick together and help each other.”

Knight’s church gives out around 75 bags of food on the third Saturday of each month. Volunteers also serve breakfast, have a devotion and open a clothes closet.

She said if needs become too great, “the church will step in and try to fill the gap.”

Diane Wesson at Woodmont Baptist Church in Florence said around 12 families are served per week. Non-church members can receive aid every other month while church members can apply for monthly help.

Each visit, families receive an entire shopping cart filled with food goods, laundry detergent, dish soap, toilet paper and more.

“People have to call ahead to get on the list,” she said. “Generally, we might serve five or six a week and have the ability to help some extra folks.

“Right now, we have a full schedule until mid-December because we’ve seen an increase in requests for assistance.”

With enough donations, Wesson hopes the service can be extended to more families.

Currently, she said the Dollar Tree on Cox Creek Parkway is taking donations to benefit Woodmont’s pantry.